Northwest Indiana history buffs rejoice! South Shore Arts is excited to present its latest Atrium Exhibit, vintage posters from the famous Madura’s Danceland located in Hammond, IN.
Mike Madura bet everything but the suit on his back with his purchase of the former Boardwalk Park’s dancehall. With the aid of a team of horses, Madura uprooted the dancehall, floor and all, and begin the arduous move to its new plot of land located at Hammond’s famous five points. Madura used nearly every penny to get the ball room up and running. Enlisting the help of each member of his family in the day to day operations of the dancehall, whether that be taking money, cleaning, or general upkeep. Admission was $0.75 to dance the night away, and during the great depression admission was lowered to $0.25.
For years the dancehall would draw in hundreds of people every night, especially on Sunday night’s Waltz Night. For decades, nearly every romantic encounter, relationship, and marriage was kindled at Madura’s Danceland. The dancehall weathered both the Great Depression and World War II and would continue to be the place to be for the decades to follow.
In 1967, lightning struck the dancehall causing a fire that would shutter Madura’s doors permanently. During the cleanup, a pile of posters from advertisements were salvaged, all of which were left with singed edges from the fire. On display in the Atrium Gallery are 20 of these singed posters, framed, courtesy of Mike Madura’s granddaughter, Marcia Kozlowski.
South Shore Arts will have this bit of local history on display through October 2, 2022, in the Atrium Gallery at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321.
Questions about the Exhibit can be directed to Brandon Johnson, Gallery Coordinator, Brandon@southshoreartsonline.org or 219-836-1839 ext 108.