States Ballroom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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States Ballroom
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off Nebraska Highway 15, Bee, Nebraska |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1938-40 |
| Architect | Sobotka, Vladimir |
| Architectural style | Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000375 |
| Added to NRHP | October 14, 1981 |
The States Ballroom is a special old building in Bee, Nebraska. It was first built as a place for dances and opened in 1939. This project was part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a program that helped people find jobs during a tough time in history. A local architect named Vladimir Sobotka designed this unique building. It has twelve sides and uses a cool style called Moderne. The States Ballroom is a very important landmark for Bee and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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History of the States Ballroom
Work on the States Ballroom started in 1938. It was built with money from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a government program that created jobs during the Great Depression. By 1939, the building was ready to open, even though the inside wasn't completely finished.
Grand Opening and Dedication
The grand opening happened in May 1939. About 2,000 tickets were sold! That's ten times more people than lived in Bee at the time. The money earned from this big event helped the village finish the inside of the ballroom. The building was officially finished and dedicated in 1940. Important people, like Nebraska Governor Robert LeRoy Cochran, spoke at the dedication. The celebration also included a baseball game, concerts, and a dance in the new ballroom.
More Than Just a Dance Hall
Even though it was first planned as just a ballroom, the building quickly became a place for many different events in Bee. It has hosted concerts, plays, weddings, and even sales. The local junior high school basketball team plays its games there. Because of its round, dome-like shape, opposing teams sometimes call it the "Bee Astrodome." The village still holds an annual barn dance in the ballroom, keeping its original purpose alive.
Because of its unusual shape and its importance to the small village, the States Ballroom is a key landmark for Bee. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1981.
Design of the Ballroom
Architect Vladimir Sobotka, who lived in Bee, designed and built the ballroom himself. Sobotka's design was special because it mixed local building ideas with elements of the Moderne style.
Unique Shape and Materials
The building has twelve sides and strong concrete walls. It also has a cool domed roof. Since it was mainly meant for ballroom dances, the many sides allowed for a wooden dance floor where dancers could always follow the wood's grain. This made dancing easier and more fun!
Moderne Style Details
The outside of the ballroom is made of concrete. It has patterns of straight lines, both horizontal and vertical. These lines give the building its Moderne look without being too fancy. When Sobotka retired in 1981, he said the States Ballroom was his "pride and joy."
