It was
called a “Dance Hall” but what about this sign??? Was it a casino, was there some shady
business going on??
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| Gordon & Ethel Mace at entrance to Dance Hall |
Built in 1921, numerous stories in the 1922 Estes
Park Trail report of events at Baldpate’s new “Ballroom.” As was the
custom of the time, many lodges would get together for dance nights, and from
old posters, it seems Baldpate’s night was Thursday. Big bands led by the likes of Tommy Dorsey and
Harry James, provided music for the gala affairs. Many visitors fondly recall
attending a special dance sponsored by their college sorority or fraternity as
well.
But back to the mystery, was there gambling?
Several times during my first years at Baldpate,
guests I would have characterized as little old ladies, would corner me and
whisper, “Do you still have them?” My
blank stare would then elicit the even quieter whisper, “The SLOTS?”
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| Ethel paying out slot machines. |
Years
later, a former staff member confirmed the presence of the machines at
Baldpate. She also shared the story of how they could come to an ‘agreement’
with the local inspectors, but when the state guys came around, the machines strangely
found their way under the gals beds in staff quarters. She also laughed how many of her tips were
confiscated by the Baldpate’s one armed bandits!
Digging through old letters and records, another
fun discovery was this study of the "Slot Machines at Baldpate
Inn" a 16-page hand written paper from 1936 by Mr. O.H. Basquin. In his report he notes there are two slot
machines, one nickel and one dime, from Mills Novelty Company, Chicago. Upon
reading his detailed report, one has to wonder at the amount of time and major calculations
he did while apparently a guest at the Lodge!
Written by Lois Smith
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