Dancing Around Town
How many of us remember the dances of our youth? Over the years new fads in dancing have been the norm in young society. I imagine that back in the 1890’s dancing was much more formal than it is today. There was no place that catered to dancing, and the only chance that boys and girls had to dance was the occasional event at Christmas time. I’m sure there were dances sponsored by a local church at Christmas.
When the Wicomico Hotel was opened in 1925, the entire seventh floor was a ballroom. Dancing had become very popular in the 1920’s, and the local guys and gals were no different from the rest of the country. This trend continued through the depression years of the 1930’s and provided much relief from the real world.
The Second World War really changed how the sexes intermingled on the dance floor. While the Charleston was considered quite risqué, it couldn’t hold a candle to the jitterbug. Even at my class reunions, there are some couples that can still jitterbug as good as ever.
There were places around Salisbury that catered to dancing. The most popular one over the years has to be the Northwood Bar (pictured above c. 1960). What began as an ordinary house was transformed by Winfield Dennis into the night spot of the Eastern Shore. Patrons would come from as far north as Dover in Delawareand as far south as Exmore on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Winfield was a man who couldn’t read or write anything but his name, yet he knew business and what people wanted. The place was packed every Friday and Saturday night. No doubt, it was the place to be.
Over the years, there have been many places that list themselves as “night clubs”, and most of them had a juke box for listening or dancing. Spots such as the Cozy Cabin on the old Delmar Road or the Log Cabin Service Station on Spring Hill Road (now Route 50 west) that advertised “dancing, beer, refreshments and soft drinks” were listed in the Yellow Pages in 1940. By 1950, there was only one listing and that was for Rick’s Motel and Bar on Foskey Lane in Delmar. By 1960, there are no “night clubs” listed in the Yellow Pages. I don’t know what they were listed under, but there were several places that catered to the imbibers with itchy feet.
When I was in high school, the local churches would sponsor dances on Friday night. The most popular was Bethesda. After a Friday night football game, it was really crowded. They also had a dance at the Fellowship Hall on N. Division Street which was under the auspices of Asbury Church. St. Peter’s had some dances in their Parish House basement. In all, the parents tried very hard to provide wholesome entertainment for the teenagers. Whether dancing or watching, everyone seemed to have a good time and they were always under the watchful eyes of the chaperones.
13 comments:
George . . . remember these places well and thanks for telling their stories. Of course, following WWII the Chincoteague Naval Base kept places like Prestwood Pines, Circle Bar, Pines Bar and Silver Dollar (all s/o Fruitland) busy with the sailors and locals dancing and imbibing.
Enjoy your weekend articles . . keep them ccoming. . . Jerry Dorman.
THERE and the WAGON WHEEL. What memorys.
Ah, Memories. For lots of boomers, it was Good ole Northwood. For country, it was The Cactus Club (I think that was after the Wagon Wheel) and The Firehouse.
The Firehouse was the last of the rock clubs. Got a little rough at the end, but in its prime, it had the bands!
During all of the 1980's, Johnny & Sammys had a different band every week. My wife and I danced 3 or 4 nights a week 'till we dropped.
we used to dance at sandyhill.
Boy these were the good old days, me and my husband used to go to Johnny and Sammys on Saturday evening to dance and listen to the Bruce Willey Band.What a good time we used to have.I miss it alot.
Johnny and Sammys Alpine Room lounge was our favorite spot also. Went every Friday night for a couple of cocktails and danced to the music of Maud and Earl.Great fun and excellent food.
Also remember the Twin Lantern bar which was located on the second floor next to the New Theater which was across the street from the post office.
Thanks for the memories, George.
Emory Leonard
The churches used to be great: Bethesda, Asbury, St Peters, Beth Israel, and others. We were having fun. Our parents knew where we were and when to expect us home. Wish this could start up again for the kids today.
Asbury Church always had the best bands. Cherry Smash, Blessed and of course, Southern Iron!
Ah what sweet memories. I have to thank the Northwood Bar for the fact that I met my wonderful wife, Charlotte there while stationed at Chincoteagur NAS. After leaving the Navy, I spent many hours working with Winfield as bartender and floorman with Beebe and others. The establishment sat 500 patrons and every Wed, Fri and Saturday the place was full. Winfield had a gold mine there. The place was home for many notables such as "RT" and others. Who can ever forget Bunky Eye and the Orbits or the other great bands that played.
There was also the Delmar Room and Joe Walkers and Triglias place in Delmar as well as the Greenway Inn. Darn, there used to be a ton of places to trip the light fantastic lol
I also tended bar at the Wagon Wheel with Birdog Lang. Serve 5 beers and fight, serve 5 more and fight some more. Charlotte and I headed there immediately after our wedding reception at the church. Calvin Pusey had set up a table with table cloths, champagne and the very nice Marion "Buddy" Barclay was a waiter. Had many great times with some great music by the Morioles , with Sax Players walking the bar. Oh the good ole days.
Then there was Maude and Earl (Just recently found an album that they made and gave me) at the wonderful Johnny's and Sammy's. Many, many hours were spent dancing and dining there with Johnny Testa and Sammy Cerniglia followed by Norm and Barbara Webster (Johnny's son-in-law and daughter) and Ron Zimmerer (Sammy's stepson)
Many years later after it had been closed for a short time, I joined forces with Jim and Carol Beck and tried to bring back the atmosphere etc of the old J&S. Did a complete remodel job and opened as Jackspot and tried to entice the 35 and over crowd. Had Bebby Legg and the Sea Cruise band as well as Bruce Willey's group dishing out the music every week end. Had the pleasure of booking the Admirals 3 times during Re_Grand Opening period as well as the Boxtops, very popular 50s group and Jimmy Charizzma and the Spiders from Atlantic City. But by then people were not patronizing the Night Club scene and it fell to the wayside.
Oh well, as my wife is fond of saying, "You can't go home again" but I have a habit of viewing life from the rearview mirror instead of the windshield.
Hope that I have been able to bring about some fond memories. Thank you, George for this opportunity. jackkcharl@aolcom
Oh thanks for mentioning Beth Israel! I remember my best friend got her first real kissing at one of the Southern Iron dances there.
See, "making out" was the WORST parents had to worry about going on at those dances. Except maybe a few boys slipping out the back for a "joint."
That was "crime" back in those days. What surrounds Beth Israel now is just scary!
We went most to the Asbury dances. The room seemed so big back then, packed with dancing bodies and ones lining the wall.
I forgot. There was no Wihi v Bennett at these dances. We were all just having fun. It is a shame the schools couldn't rotate the dances (so more people could go) and have get togethers once a month or so. you can make money by selling tickets and have a safe place for the kids to have fun. let community groups & churches help with snacks, etc.
The Blue Lantern was another hot place to have fun. It was located on S. Camden Ave. Ext. in Fruitland.
Years before, in high school, I attend some dances in the Lutheran church hall.
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