By Chet Brooks and Ann Tewksbury
This year Prescott is celebrating 50 years of square dance festivals, but the origin of square dancing in Prescott probably goes back to Prescott's beginnings. Square dancing, or "Hoedowns", as they were first called, evolved in early rural America and moved across the country as the settlers moved west.
Square dancing, as an organized group, began in Prescott in 1945. Known as the "Post Card Squares" the group consisted of 16 couples or 4 "squares". They were: Bonsell and Norma Hazeltine, Ren and Dorothy Templin, Burt and Ruth Schoneberger, Lee and Claudia Waggoner, Art and Mary Mulvey, Bill and Hazel Boggas, Floyd and Ethel Theobald, Cary and Mrs. Busell, Walt and Lee Minucci, Jim and Helen Marsh, George and Fawn France, Hank and Alice Metzger, Martin and Ann Wist, John and Heida McLernon, Mr. and Mrs. Bumps Crawford, Jack and Laura Branch.
Initially, square dancing in Prescott was limited to only a few calls, most of which could be learned in an evening. This is what many people would refer to as the traditional style of square dancing. Women usually worn prairie dresses and the men would wear western shirts. This is not very different from the current dress code, except now the dresses are shorter and more stylized, and couples usually wear the same colors.
Generally, the caller (or callers) would come from within the group and the dancers danced to live music consisting of little more than a fiddle, guitar, and an occasional banjo. It was not unusual for a featured fiddler to provide most of the music.
In 1947, a "modern" square dance syllabus was obtained from the Phoenix Community Square Dance Committee with a description of the calls and movements then in normal use by square dancers across the country. A new square dance club was formed, calling themselves the "Hoedowners". The first President of the Hoedowners was Scotty Atkins . By 1948, square dances were being called on the Courthouse Square to a live band. In 1949, now referring to themselves as "Mile High Hoedowners", the Club held a special dance they called the "Spring Fling Jamboree".
The activities of the group became well known enough that in 1950, the square dancers traveled to Skull Valley for the making of the movie "Santa Fe". Skull Valley was transformed into "Dodge City", and our dancers were asked to take part in the events celebrating the arrival of the railroad in that town. The Club was paid $500.00 for their participation in the making of the movie.
During the early 1950s there were three different presidents: Warren Dixon (1950), Jack Mosher (1951), and Ray Shire (1952). These men guided the club as the movement grew enough to merit another club. This second club came into being in 1952, calling itself the "Whipple Square Dance Club". Soon after, someone brought a wagon "whiffle tree" to a dance to create a country atmosphere, and the club subsequently became known as the "Whiffle Tree Square Dance Club". The Mile High Hoedowners and the Whiffle Tree Club continued to cooperate in the "Spring Fling Jamboree" activities. By the early 1970s they joined together to form the "Mile High Squares".
Exhibition of square and round dancing were always a part of the Jamboree since the early days, and were also held in conjunction with other civic celebrations of the time . In 1952, the "Spring Fling" expanded into a full two-night program and a "black light" exhibition dance was performed. Round dancing, a patterned dance similar to ballroom dancing done by couples in unison in response to calls by a Cuer, and fiddling contests were also added attractions during the early festivals.
The non-profit club, now known officially as the "Mile High Square Dance Club, Inc.", along with the Prescott Recreational Services produce the annual event in Prescott. Spectators are welcome at this year's festival celebrating 50 years of Jamborees in Prescott on May 21, 22, and 23, at the Old Armory. Of course those who were in the original "Post Card Squares" would certainly be welcome as guests at the Mile High Squares 50th Spring Fling Jamboree to reminisce and share their memories with our current club.
(Later research has found some of the names, dates, and places in this article to be questionable.)
Chet Brooks and Ann Tewksbury are Active Mmbers of the Mile High Square Dance Club.
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (pb001a2dancers). Reuse only by permission.
The modern square dance movement started in Prescott in 1945. In the Summer, dancers could be found at the Plaza or in impromptu dance halls like this one in about 1953. In this photo are Vi Rogers, Sam Graves, Ike Gifford, Virginia Hauge, Phil Hauge, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hanson, George Bridgeman and Wara Gifford.