1924 Basten 

Fred E. Basten Santa Monica Bay: The First 100 Years, A pictorial history of Santa Monica, Venice, Ocean Park, Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Malibu, Douglas-West Publishers: Los Angeles, CA, 1974, 227 pp., 1924

     "The La Monica Ballroom on Santa Monica Pier was billed as the largest ballroom in the world (it could accommodate 10,000 persons easily-with room to roam). Inside, with its ornamental carvings, gilt chandeliers, carved ballastrades(sic) and upholstered settees, the setting was palatial, reminescent(sic) of some exotic far-off land (the vogue in silent movies of the day). Outside, with its stylized Byzantine domed turrets, the building looked strangely fascinating as it 'floated' on pilings above the surf-a giant arena from another time and place. (p. 146.)

     "In 1924, the La Monica Ballroom was open for dancing at 7:30 pm every night of the year-with afternoon matinees scheduled for 2:30 pm. Loge seating was available around the perimeter of the dance floor for spectators and reservations were necessary. The resident orchestra of 18 musicians was conducted by Don Clark." p. 147

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 Kelyn Roberts 2017