Showing posts with label Elite Hall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elite Hall. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Historic Hyrum Elite Hall; Best Dance Floor in Utah

http://newscafe.ansci.usu.edu/archive/oct99/1013_elite.html
Hyrum Elite Hall is an historic building, but it is still being used.  It was built in 1917 after the opera house on the same site burned down in 1915.  It was used for high school basketball games for South Cache High School, before they had their own gym (before my time).  It also hosted other events such as wrestling.

The big draw was the dance floor.  At one time they had weekly Saturday dances.  The floor bounces, because of the springs built under the floor.  My brother said one time he was able to get underneath the floor with someone and see the springs.  In the really old days, when cars weren't so plentiful, you could take the train to Hyrum to catch the dance.  People still come from all over the Valley.

There was also a time when it was open Saturday morning for people to play basketball, or run around the balcony.  This was the main court for my Bantam Basketball playing days.  The Hall had large restrooms, men's and women's.  Above the restrooms, off of the balcony, were two classrooms, one on each side.  It was in this classroom that I took my hunter's safety.  I also attended an Emergency Preparedness seminar and learned how if the Russians missed nuking Hill Air Force Base by a little bit we were toast.

One year, for our May Day dance program from the elementary school, it was held there.  I think it was the back-up place for bad weather.

While I was growing up, dancing wasn't popular with me.  There were regular dances held there.  Sometimes they would throw saw dust on the floor to enhance the sliding motions.

They stored a drum and other instruments from band in the display case as you entered the Hall.  Eventually the drum had a tear in it.  The instruments have been moved to the museum.
I understand dancing is still taking place in the Hall.  I saw an ad for dances two Saturdays a month with dance instruction for those who may need Swing Dancing instruction.