History of Willowbrook Ballroom Told in New Book

Oct. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- New from Arcadia Publishing and local author Bonnie Classen is Willowbrook Ballroom. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images, giving readers a unique opportunity to reconnect to the history that shaped their community.

The Willowbrook Ballroom was originally built as an outdoor dance pavilion named “Oh Henry Park” by Austrian immigrant, John Verderbar. Wildly successful, it was enlarged and fully enclosed in 1923 and a 10¢-a-dance policy was implemented. Destroyed by fire in 1930, a determined Verderbar hired a crew of 200 carpenters and a new facility was built to the tune of a then-staggering $100,000.

In 1959, it was renamed the Willowbrook Ballroom and dancers have since enjoyed the big band sounds of Count Basie, Teddy Lee, Harry James, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. As record crowds flocked to the 6,000-square-foot dance floor, the Willowbrook also became a favorite setting for weddings, proms, and other once-in-a-lifetime events.

Today, at the height of its popularity, the Willowbrook is one of only five ballrooms of its magnitude in the United States and the only one remaining in the greater Chicagoland area.

Highlights of the book include:
•   The Town of Willow Springs
•   The Verderbar Family and Oh Henry Park
•   Orchestras and Big Bands (the Early Days)
•   Rock Bands from the 1960s and 1970s
•   Back to the Great Orchestras
•   The Willowbrook Ballroom Today

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.

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With more than 7,500 local history titles published to date, Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Widely recognized sepia books feature hundreds of vintage historical images.