Chicago Concert Venues #6: The Aragon Ballroom Traditional Cache
n9tog: This had a good run....
Chicago Concert Venues #6: The Aragon Ballroom
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The cache container is typical for the series. Bring your own
scribbler. Please replace the cache exactly as you found it. GZ can
see high amounts of muggle traffic so be sure to use an appropriate
level of ninja skills. There is no need to leave the street level
to find the cache. Coords were confirmed on GoogleMaps.
Please include any concerts/shows you have seen at the venue when
you log your visit online. At the Aragon, I have seen The White
Stripes, Disturbed, Drowning Pool and a few others. I am also happy
to say that I was able to attend the 2nd to last Nine Inch Nails
show EVER (in Chicago) in the fall of 2009. Thanx for everything
Trent, though I am sure we have not seen the last of you. This is
an excellent medium sized venue and one of my favs.
-------------
The Aragon was built in 1926 by two brothers, William and Andrew
Karzas, at an exorbitant cost of two million dollars (considering
the price of admission was only .90c). The Aragon, named after a
providence in Spain, was the crowing jewel in a cluster of
lucrative properties owned by the Karzas. It was designed to
replicate a Spanish palace courtyard with its crystal chandeliers,
mosaic tiles, garishly painted plaster, terra-cotta ceiling and
beautiful arches. The shiny bent wood floor was created for dancing
and rests on a cushion of cork, felt and springs. It appears to be
a palace of illusions, where artificial stars twinkle overhead and
projectors beam clouds scudding across the domed roof some 60 feet
above the dance floor. Even the "wooden" beams located throughout
the venue are make-believe (simulated from concrete).
When it opened in July, 1926 more than 8,000 people jammed the
Aragon to enjoy its unprecedented beauty. It was dubbed the most
beautiful ballroom in the world. The Aragon was a smashing success
and soon became the most famous dance hall in America.
Many out of towners traveled great distances to dance at the famous
Aragon. The venue's close proximity to public transportation was
also a key factor in its ability to attract large crowds. The
Aragon enjoyed near capacity crowds every day. Weekly attendance
regularly topped 18,000 during the 20's, 30's, and 40's. Men were
obligated to wear jackets and ties. Attire for women was
semi-formal evening wear. Smoking was prohibited on the second
floor and tuxedoed floorwalkers prevented close dancing or
jitterbugging. It was the place in Chicago to meet single men and
women. Many couples meet for the first time at the Aragon later to
be married. On one special occasion, 800 couples gathered to share
their stories of how they met at the Aragon under the twinkling
stars.
Every big name band played the Aragon, which became a status symbol
separating the orchestras that had "arrived" from the amateurs.
Playing the Aragon was regarded as having obtained "big-time"
status. Acts like Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Welk, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn
Miller, Guy Lombardo, Dick Jurgens, Harry James, Xavier Cugat, Eddy
Duchin, Carmen Cavallaro, Kay Kyser, George Olsen, Benny Goodman,
Sammy Kaye, Art Kassel, Artie Shaw, Ted Fio Rito, Jan Garber,
Frankie Masters, Russ Morgan, Orrin Tucker, Griff Williams, Ben
Bernie, Tommy Tucker, Abe Lyman, Henry King, Bernie Cummins, Shep
Fields, Gus Arnheim, Ted Weems, Eddy Howard, Wayne King and many
more frequented the Aragon.
Eras have a way of ending. By 1955 an era in which an estimated 50
million people had danced at the Aragon to the very best of
America?s orchestras was in decline. They danced through
Prohibition and danced during the Depression.In 1958 the Normandy
Cocktail Lounge, located next door to the Aragon, caught fire and
an explosion erupted. The blast, probably set off by pressure from
heat generated by the fire, ripped off the glass and brick
storefront of the saloon, hurled bar stools, glass and shreds of
fancy draperies across the street and punched a huge hole into the
wall that separated it from the foyer of the ballroom. Damage to
the Aragon was estimated at $50,000.00. The explosion occurred at
3:35 am, three hours after the Aragon had closed. No one was
injured. Consequently, the Aragon closed for a few months in order
to repair the lobby. When it reopened, attendance dwindled.
In 1964, William Karza sold the famous Aragon to Oscar Brotherm and
Leonard Sherman for a price far less than the two million dollars
it cost to construct. On February 9, 1964, regularly scheduled
dances ceased. The new owners transformed the 100 by 175 foot dance
floor into a skating rink. This, however, was unsuccessful. During
early 1965, the Aragon moved into sporting attractions (ex: boxing
and wrestling matches) and was granted television rights to the
World Boxing Association's heavy-weight championship fight.
In January of 1971, Harmond Harvey and Arthur Holleb bought the
Aragon. They began restoring the venue to its original splendor.
For a short time, Thursdays were nostalgia nights. The house band,
"The Aragon", played through a dance music library that spanned
from the turn of the century to the '70s. On Saturdays there were
ethnic parties and wrestling matches were held every other Friday.
Harmond, like every other owner before him, thought he could bring
back big bands and dancing but low attendance soon stopped those
dreams.
The Aragon reopened its doors to rock and roll concerts in 1972.
Bands included the Doors, the Kinks, the Fabulous Rhinestones, Dr.
John and many more. Although rock and roll was quickly carving its
niche, the current promoters were unsuccessful in making the
concerts profitable. In 1973, ownership of the Aragon finally
landed in the right hands. Two Latin promoters, Willy Miranda and
Jose Palomar, had been successfully producing Latin dances in
Chicago since 1964. When word spread that the Aragon was yet again
up for sale, the partners quickly extended an offer. They
concentrated their efforts on restoring the appearance of the venue
while continuing to promote their dances.Shortly after they
purchased the Aragon, they were approached by two new concert
promoters Arny Granat and Jerry Mickelson of JAM Productions. Jam
possessed what it took to make rock concerts work and the new rock
era at the Aragon began.
History is excerpted from the Aragon homepage.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Bar zvtug cresbez guvf glcr bs jnygm ng gur onyyebbz.
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures