Arnolds Park, Iowa — While there was no Roof Garden at Arnolds Park for 31 years, the original Roof Garden did open in 1923, so the folks at Arnolds Park are celebrating 100 years.
Many northwest Iowans have fond memories of either the old Roof Garden, which was closed in 1988 when there was doubt about the amusement park’s future, or of the new Roof Garden, which opened in 2019.
Roof Garden staff say they are thrilled to announce the 100-year anniversary of the Roof Garden Ballroom. They tell us the historic venue has been the site of numerous events and live performances over six decades, from the swing era of the ‘30s and ‘40s to the memorable rock n’ roll revolution that followed. They say it continues to be a popular destination for those looking for a unique and memorable experience.
The Roof Garden Ballroom has been an iconic fixture of the Arnolds Park community for many years. Built at The Park above the lakeside retail stores by Spencer Construction, the original Roof Garden opened on June 23, 1923, under the ownership of Dr. A. L. Peck, with Al Grabel’s Broadway Entertainers appearing on stage. With an estimated 400 couples cavorting on the dance floor – which had a moonlight effect caused by four spotlights thrown on revolving mirrors – patrons recalled the deck literally rising and falling with the rhythm of the dancing. With a veranda that extended around the entire 100 by 162-foot floor, the Roof Garden was then the second-largest dance hall in the country. Customers enjoyed climbing its famous stairway and promenading on the landing and walkway.
During the 30s and 40s, the hottest big bands in the U.S. made regular stops at The Roof. The Big Band era was a golden time for the Roof Garden, with such marquee acts as Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Louis Armstrong performing for enthralled music lovers who danced the nights away. The mastermind behind the rock movement, in the 1950s, at the Roof Garden was Darlowe Oleson, who owned and operated the property during its heyday.
Oleson was regarded in the industry as a master promoter, turning the Roof Garden into a most sought-after destination for national big name bands. Darlowe was a businessman who knew ballrooms could not continue on with just big bands, there had to be a way to get teens in the doors, …thus rock and roll. Teens and adults, young and old, rocked to the sounds of some of the most enduring bands of the era: Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, The Box Tops, The Everly Brothers, The Turtles, Roy Orbison, and The Flippers, just to name a few.
Although the Roof Garden, as a venue had been maintained at the Park, the lure of the facility was fading. In 2017, Arnolds Park initiated a fundraising effort to rebuild the Roof Garden Ballroom and transform it into once again, a premiere entertainment venue that would draw national acts to perform here. Today, visitors will enjoy the modern architecture, comfort and atmosphere of the new Roof Garden Ballroom. Many of the bands that have performed at this venue have commented “this is a top notch venue and we would love to play here again.”
Jon Pausley, CEO of Arnolds Park Amusement Park says, “The Roof Garden Ballroom is an important part of the history of Arnolds Park and the surrounding area, and we are proud to be celebrating its 100th anniversary. We invite everyone to join us in this special lineup of concerts!”
To commemorate this milestone anniversary, the Roof Garden Ballroom will be hosting a variety of special events and concerts throughout the year. Staff is inviting the public to join them in celebrating the Roof Garden Ballroom and its long history in the Arnolds Park community.
To learn more about the Roof Garden Ballroom, you can visit roofgardenballroom.com.
