Vern Minkler was an baseball player, musician and music venue owner in Lane County. Background: 1916 - Born in Oklahoma 1932 - Name in RG Vaughn News Notes - attending a social 1937 - Worked at the Vaughn Store 1939 - Lived in Oakridge, Oregon 1938 - Baseball player for the Public Market (center fielder for local team) 1939 - New Manager at Central … [Read more...]
Arena Ballroom (1951-1953)
Location: 1850 W 6th Ave. Eugene Vern Minkler (Manager/Co-Owner) and Warren Willson (Co-Owner) opened the Arena Ballroom in November 1951. A 12-piece house band lead by Billy Hamilton played popular dance music on Saturday nights. The ballroom featured an unknown Willie Nelson in an early professional appearance playing guitar with a local band. (Note: I have a confirmed … [Read more...]
Holland (1939-1949)
Location: 3709 Franklin Blvd, Glenwood Around the 1930’s a hall was built on the old highway between Eugene and Springfield which was called “The Midway” and later, “The Holland”. We played dances there one winter. They held wrestling and boxing matches there and finally turn it into a skating rink, then into a grocery store. Source: Vera McAdams Manuscript, LCHM Building … [Read more...]
Jolly Time Dance Hall
Jolly Time Ballroom / Dance Hall Location: Willamette City / Oakridge, Oregon March 17, 1939 - Gala opening with Bob Ramsey and his Band 1940 - Benefit Dance for Easter Egg Hunt May 24, 1941 - Vern Minkler and his Orchestra 1942 – Westfir Orchestra preceding the dance at Jolly Time … … [Read more...]