Located between Jasper and Fall Creek on Jasper Road (4 miles above Jasper).
Dance hall was located near a swimming hole on Fall Creek. Had picnic grounds and play area for the kids with swing set, etc. Kids had a place to play outside while the parents danced.
Building History
Originally the Shady Nook Resort in the 1930s. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Sam Staton.
Aug 1-2, 1936 – Grand Opening of the New Ballroom at the Shady Nook Resort
Sept. 2, 1936 – For Sale ad – Shady Nook resort, large dance hall, tavern, picnic area, swimming: 16 mi from Eugene. Good year round. Price $6,500. Article indicates Mr Staton had health issues and had to sell the resort.
Dec. 8, 1936 – Thomas Tengs from Eugene purchases Shady Nook dance resort
Jan 15, 1937 – Ad states, “under new management” – Thomas Tengs purchases Shady Nook dance resort
Jan 11, 1939 – Thomas Tengs of Shady Nook denied alcohol license
Sept 27, 1941 – Sold and renamed, The Playground
1945 – Reopened by Mock family
Jan 17, 1946 – RG ad states, “Newly redecorated and remodeled.”
May 1948 – Ads list venue as “Playgrounds”
1949 – Ads list venue as “The Playground” again
Jan 28, 1950 – Re-opened. Completely re-decorated.
Later became Emerald Island
2014 – Elements finally bring the building to the ground, Winter 2014. Removed Feb 2015.
Music History
Shady Nook Resort
Aug 1, 2, 8, 1936 – Carl Rooen’s Swing Band
Aug 10, 1936- Tom Fair and His “Dudes of the West”
Jan 2, 1937 – Earl Gibson’s Band
Jan 15, 1937 – Bob Ramsay’s Orchestra
July 9, 16 1937 – Garboden’s Orchestra
Oct 29, 1937 – Halloween Dance with Garboden’s Orchestra
1938 – Garboden’s Orchestra appears to be the house band, playing most weekends.
Sept 23, 1938 – Herschel Davis Swing Band
May 25, 1939 – The Copenhaver Orchestra
Most of 1939’s ads mention a “6-piece band” without naming who…
March 26, 1940 – Article: Shady Nook Dances to start saturday. Music by Copenhaver’s orchestra.
April 12, 1940 Eddie Scroggins and His Band
The Playground
Sept 27, 1941 – Carl Rooen and his band
Nov 7, 1941 – Tommy Fair and his Orch
Oct 18, 1946 – Jo Jo, his drums and his Rhythm Buddies. Colored Aces of Swing….at the Playground
Jan 3, 10, 1947 – Oregon Ramblers
May 13, 1947 – Johnnie Lee and his Texas Tornadoes
May – Dec 1947 – Earl Prine’s Orchestra played regularly
Aug 24, 1947 – Bud and Harry’s Band
1948 – Bud and Harry’s Band played regularly
May 7, 1949 – Duke Warner (Local) and his Orchestra
June 18, 1949 – Wayne Ryan’s popular dance band
Aug 12, 1949 – June 1950 – Duke Warner and his band played regularly
Oct 21, 1950 – Will Gordon
1951 – Bill Riley and his Orchestra played regularly
April 19, 1952 – Ralph Brevik and the Five Sharps
Oct 11, 1952 – Bill Riley and his Orchestra
April 15, 1953 – Don Rose and his Trailsmen
May 1, 1953 – Wade Ray and his Ozark Mountain Victor Recording Artists
July 3, 1953 – Andy Lanny and His Western Swing Band
Oct 7, 1953 – Ferlin Huskey and Jean Shepard – famous country singers (did ode to hank williams)
A couple of country legends that played when they were just bus bands were Ferlin Husky and Lefty Frezell
Dec 5, 1953 – Four Fifths and a Pint – Finest in Popular Music
April 30, 1954 – Gene, Harry and Mike
July 16, 1954 – Darrell Renfro and his Music
Sept 24, 1954 – The Club Quintet
June 17, 1955 – Irving Dugan and his Dixielanders
Dec 3, 1955 – Ralph Brevik
May 4, 1956 – Whitey Randell and his Music Makers
Jan 5, 1957 – The 3 Aces
Dec 31, 1957 – Merry Makers
May 3, 1958 – The Music Makers
March 27, 1959 – Nat Johnson’s 4 Kings
Dec 4, 1959 – Roy Shipman and the Lane County Boys
Jan 29, 1960 – Johnny Hamilton
Feb 1960 – Bobby Wetzell and the Western Stars – played regularly
Jan 6, 1961 – Jim Bottoms and his Rhythm Pals
Sept 1, 1961 – Larry Derieux and the Attitudes
Sept 29, 1961 – Jim Bottoms Trio
March 2, 1962 – John Glass
Dec 31, 1962 – Jimmy Head and the Band
Dec 31, 1963 – Jimmy Head and the Band