By Parker Anderson

It may seem difficult to believe in this day and age, but there was a time when dancing-any form of dancing-was considered an immoral practice and a sin against God. This idea might bring laughter to most people in the present, but it was taken seriously throughout the 19th century. Dancing would become a popular pastime for Americans in the early 20th century, but pockets of anti-dancing sentiment still existed. Dancing had men and women who were not always married actually TOUCHING each other (always considered immoral in those days), and often moving one's body into contorted positions (though nothing like today, of course), which was also considered obscene.

On the subject of dancing, there was no middle ground. It was all or nothing. Supporters of dancing vigorously defended it, while opponents viewed all dancing as moral decay in a civilized society. When dances like the Tango came into being, it further exacerbated the argument. The issue was raised in Prescott a few times in those days. The Prescott High School had begun instituting proms in the early part of the century, but in May of 1914, the School Board ordered the cancellation of the Junior Prom after a number of parents complained about it. In issuing the order, the Board advanced that it was an unspoken rule throughout the country that schools not sanction any activity that any students or parents deemed to be offensive. This caused a lot of debate in Prescott, and after supporters of dancing sounded off, the School Board called a special meeting on May 11, in which Board members and parents were allowed to attend. Strong sentiment existed for dancing, and both sides argued for nearly three hours. The pro-dancing side contended that all school dances were properly chaperoned, and that "ragging" dances had always been banned. Principal Hart sheepishly admitted that he had, at times, taught certain dance steps to students. 

The anti-dancing forces brought out the arguments of sin and immorality, which had long been traditionally believed. A prominent School Board member who was also a member of the Parent-Teachers Association was quoted in the Journal Miner as saying that, "we might as well teach our children here to drink whiskey and beer, its just the same thing." Ultimately, the School Board reversed itself by a vote of 35-30, and the Junior Prom went on. Concerned parents continued to press for reconsideration, but it never happened. 

On January 29, 1928, the debate would flare up again in Prescott. The Reverend Doctor Joett P. Bray told his church congregation of the evils of dancing, and how the public dance hall (by then more prominent than it had been in 1914) was largely responsible for the decline of morals in America. As dancing was becoming more widely accepted, his remarks brought considerable news coverage in Prescott. Reverend Bray declared that public dancing was in violation of Section 311, page 69, of the Penal Code of the State of Arizona. 

Dr. Bray stated: "A man would not submit to have his wife and daughter alone in the home in such position as the bodies are placed on the dance floor, with the lights turned low. If there is a spark of manhood in him, he would take his shotgun and drive him from his doors. Statistics show us that 75 per cent of the scarlet women were recruited from a dance floor, and if that was true when scarlet houses were permitted to be open and carry on their trade, how much greater the proportion must be today, when the dance is much more sensuous than then. The public dance is conducive to sex promiscuity and drinking. Any boy or girl who indulge in sex promiscuity are not fit to be fathers and mothers and raise children who shall guide the affairs of the country in the future. If these statements are doubted, let the doubter interview the chief of police and his policemen." 

After concluding his sermon, Reverend Bray was congratulated by fully 95 percent of his congregation for having the courage to stand up against the public dance hall. 

In retrospect, Reverend Bray's comments seem laughable and ludicrous to most of us today, but perhaps they shouldn't be dismissed so easily. We tend to believe that the generations of long ago were more moral and pious than the generations of today. But if they were, is it safe to assume that they were wrong about this one thing, while being right about everything else? Is it possible that every dance we dance makes us less moral? I'm not saying I believe that, but it bears thought. 

(Parker Anderson is an active member of Sharlot Hall Museum's Blue Rose Historical Theater.) 

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (pb057a3i35)
Reuse only by permission.
Dancing, like in this outdoor cowboy dance photo taken in the mid 1930s, was not always acceptable behavior in early Prescott. As late as 1928, dancing in the public schools stirred controversy since it was believed to lead to "sex promiscuity and drinking."