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Summer Nights at the Lakeview Casino

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Home...Collections and ResearchLambton Heritage Articles Summer Nights at the Lakeview Casino
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Grand Bend is a well-known summer destination. Years ago, a popular dance hall was one of the entertainment staples for tourists and cottagers. The Lakeview Casino was located on the Grand Bend beach at the end of Main Street. It was not a gambling casino but rather a dance hall and entertainment venue.

The official opening took place on July 29, 1917 with music by the Guy Lombardo Orchestra from London, Ontario. The popularity of the dance hall over the next two seasons warranted the construction of a larger, more permanent structure. The new building was completed in 1919.

The beach was a major attraction, but the Lakeview Casino also had ball games and a picnic area. Other amenities were rowboats, bathing suit rentals, and a diving platform.

The main draw was the music. Patrons purchased a general admission ticket for 15¢. This gave you entry to the promenade surrounding the dance floor. Once inside, a pay-as-you-go system known as jitney dancing was in effect. Individuals purchased additional tickets for 5¢ each, entitling them to just one dance. After every song, the floor was cleared of dancers. Once tickets were collected for the next tune and couples were assembled on the dance floor, the orchestra played the next song.

Big name musicians played at the Lakeview Casino over the years, including Louis Armstrong, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Gordie Tapp, the Haines Sisters, and Stan Patton.

During the 1960s, the popularity of old style dance floors from the big band era faded. A Windsor firm bought the Lakeview Casino in 1966. It became a pinball arcade and fast food restaurant until it was destroyed by fire in 1981. The grand old lady of the beach was no more, but her memory lives on for so many visitors that danced the nights away at the Lakeview Casino.

Lakeview Casino Artifacts and Document in our Museum Collection

(Stool with cracked and flaking green cushion and rusted base. In the base there are holes to screw it into the floor. Image Caption: "This green leather stool was used in the canteen area. The base was bolted to the floor and visitors could swivel on the seat while enjoying their cocktails."), link.

(Oval shaped microphone with long oval shaped holes rests on a tall black stand with a circular base. On the left is the close up of just the microphone, on the left is full sized image with the stand. Image Caption: "This oval shaped microphone was used on the main stage of the casino. Can you imagine all of the well-dressed and sophisticated singers that crooned into it over the years? " ), link.

(On the left, Armstrong stands on the stage in front of a mic and a large crowd of people dancing. In his hand he holds a trumpet. On the right is and advertisement for his show at the casino. The ad reads:"Appearing one night only...THE ONE AND ONLY Louis Armstrong", "America's Number One Musical Ambassador", "LAKEVIEW CASINO GRAND BEND", "Friday, July 20","9:00pm-1:00am", "TICKETS $5.00 EACH-ON SALE AT THEHE BOX-OFFICE AND VILLAGE SHOP, SUN SHOP, AND SURF SHOP","A Highlight of Your Summer, Whether You come to dance or Just to Listen. The Opportunity of a Life-Time to meet and talk to Satchmo", "Intermission Dancing Music By... Ron Brown and His Orchestra", "FEATURING JACK LEVY -VOCALIST" . Image Caption:  "Even Louis Armstrong played here! This poster advertises one of his summer gigs, and the picture on the right is from one of the shows that he played at the Lakeview Casino. We also have some signed portraits of Louis Armstrong in our Museum Collection."), link.

(Loosely woven, rectangular wooden basket with metal handles on each end. Image Caption: "This swimmers basket ensured you could enjoy the beach carefree. At the casino bath house, you would load your clothes into the basket and receive a number. You traded this number back at the end of the swim to retrieve your belongings. This particular swimmers basket dates back to the 1920s and 1930s. It may have been manufactured locally at the Forest Basket Company."), link.

(A postcard showing the casino's dance floor. The floor goes from deep orange and yellow. The ceiling is purple, and off to the left side there is a white stage. The text below the image reads: "Interior of Dance Floor, The Casino, Grand Bend, Ontario, Can.  12 "), link.

(Black and white postcard showing the Lakeview Casino from the side. Outside there are many cars parked outside.), link.

(A postcard of a large crowded pavilion on Grand Bend beach. To the left of it there is a shed, and below there is the text "GRAND BEND".), link.

(A band is on and in front of a stage. The men on the stage have various instruments including a tuba. The men in front watch a man playing a banjo. The small banner on the middle of the stage reads: "Don Barringer's Orchestra"  the other text is partly obscured. on the left side of the postcard, the words "GRAND BEND" is etched.), link.

(A group of men play baseball in the 'V' created by the to buildings that make up the casino. People look on from the sidelines and the casino's balcony. In the bottom left corner are the words: "GRAND BEND"), link.

Postcard's Image Caption:

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