There is a little town 2 hours SW of Toronto called Port Dover, known for their famous ‘Friday the 13th’ Biker get together. However between 1921 and 1979 Port Dover had a Dance Hall that people made the trek to Dover every summer for….Summer Garden was its name.
Today’s post is for the Blog Series I started in 2013 from a book I read called “Let’s Dance: A Celebration of Ontario’s Dance Halls and Summer Dance Pavilions” by Peter Young.
Summer Garden Dance Hall
The History & Vintage Photos
Summer Garden Dance Hall # 1
Summer Garden was actually 3 halls overs the years. The first one was built-in 1921 (June 18th) by Ben Ivey and named by his mother (the opening night band was a 12-piece singing syncopated group from Detroit-Charles Cody). Erected on series of wooden supports which had been sunk many feet into the sand below the water (as seen in above image), it was unfortunately demolished by a huge storm (the storm took out its legs) in the winter of 1929 (source).
Source: delcampe.net
I wish the below image was able to be larger, as it shows a lovely couple Ellen and Fred on a beach in Port Dover 1923 with the first Summer Garden in the background.
Summer Garden Dance Hall # 2
Summer Garden # 2 opened for business by Ben again in May 1929 (Featuring Emerson Gill on opening night) and was wisely located further up the beach. Built in 19 days by volunteers it lasted 3 years before it was burnt to the ground while the townspeople stood by and cried (source).
Here is a song by Emerson Gill I imagine was played on opening night.
Summer Garden Dance Hall # 3
Not letting any of this get Ben down he stood tall and erected Summer Garden # 3, on May 24th 1932.
Don Ivey – “Pop”
In 1936 Ben passed the management torch to his son Don, who would go onto become somewhat of celebrity to those who visited the Garden. He was known for managing the ballroom with Ivey League class — wearing a white suit and ever-present red rose and everyone called him ‘Pop’ (source).
With high energy and an octagonal dance floor, it was the place to go to get down. If you couldn’t afford the cover charge, the walls of the dance hall were so thin, you could stand on the beach and take in the concert (source).
A favorite of Servicemen during WW2 stationed at nearby flying schools, dancers travelled far and wide for a day at the beach and night of dancing. Bands in the 1940s included Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa.
There is a great quote in Peter Young’s book from Margo Kerber who went to Gardens during the 1940s.
“We’d take the trolley in Galt for a weekend in Port Dover and the Friday and Saturday night dances. You couldn’t wait to get back the next weekend. One of my friends is happily married to the boy she met then in Dover”.
Dance of the Roses
The Famous ‘Dance of the Roses’ was a dance that became Don’s baby and the highlight of the summer dance season. With the walls covered in roses and the best big bands playing the night, it was the “Biggest Dance Affair in Port Dover“.
1950s and on…
1950s and on, saw bands like Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks, Guess Who and Lighthouse play the venue, all who speak with great fondness of the venue.
NOTE: A reader said this image is mislabeled (not my image or my text). He said, “Robbie Lane and the Disciples is a Canadian Group but shown at the Summer Gardens it’s Ronnie Hawkins. The Drums are Labelled The Del Tones also a Canadian Group who became The Beau Marks. My guess is The Band and The Del Tones were backing Ronnie Hawkins.“
1969-1972 Summer Gardens.
The End of the Summer Gardens
January 8th, 1979 the fun ended as the Summer Gardens was torched by an arsonist and once again burnt to the ground. It was sadly never rebuilt and now is a summer garden picnic area where families enjoy ice cream and picnics.
Summer Garden Farewell
The night is chill, the ballroom deserted
The sound of dancing feet is gone
The sound of music has faded away
There is no sound of voices, they have disappeared
There is no laughter
Farewell, dear old lady Summer Garden.
There are tears I cannot hide, so I smile and say as the flames die
Smoke gets in my eyes…
– Don Ivey, January 9, 1979. (Source)
I recently visited Port Dover for the first time and while I could not find this picnic area personally (I don’t think I looked hard enough), I did take the picture below and day dreamed that this was the view that many dancers saw while taking in summer air, after a night dancing to some of the biggest bands in the world.
Please share any memories, comments & thoughts about this Vintage Dance Hall in the comments section below.
February 2023 update: I recently stumbled upon this podcast on the Summer Garden by ‘Curated Past‘. It was well done (and goes much deeper into the history then I did)! Take a listen below.
Thank you for dropping by!
Other ‘Lets Dance’ Posts: Kenwick on the Lake, CNE Tent, Palace Pier
Liz 🙂
What a touching history of this one storied and beloved dance hall. It’s a sincere shame that it wasn’t able to rise from the ashes again. Perhaps one day Port Dover will decide the time has come for the latest iteration and rebuild it once more.
xoxo ♥ Jessica
I really do hope so. They did have a ‘rose dance’ up to 2010 I believe and then it was cancelled 🙁 Keeping fingers crossed, I would loved to dance there.
What beautiful images
That’s such a lovely story. I really enjoy the histories you share and the way you describe them gets my imagination turning.
I’m so glad you like these posts, I love doing them. The big one I have coming up soon (it’s taking some time), is one of the coolest dance halls outside of Toronto. This one will for sure get your imagination going.
Awesome post! So strange you posted this as I was going to do some vintage Port Dover research. We just came back from there for some fun in the sun and loved all the old houses there. I have been going there religiously since I was a child. Thanks again… so interesting!
Awesome! Glad I could help out and shed some light on this cute town.
Liz 🙂
What a shame that it was destroyed again after all the rebuilding. I like the thought of being able to listen from the beach if you couldn’t afford to get in.
I hope that maybe one day they get all nostalgic and want to rebuild it. Probably not but I can dream 🙂
I have some happy memories of playing with ” Jimmie & the Viscounts” at the Summer Garden, & meeting ” Pops” Ivey. That was an era that can’t be recreated.
REALLY?! Oh how fun!!! I so wish I could grab a time machine and head back to just one night to see how fun it would of been. So fantastic that you have these memories now. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
I enjoyed reading your blog. I have my own memories of the Summer Garden – some real, some fiction as in my 2-book novel, “The Summer Garden and the Song”. Book 1, “The Summer Garden and the Song: The Circle of Life” was published and released July 8, 2016; Book 2, “The Summer Garden and the Song: Harvest” was published and released November 24, 2016. Both books available on Amazon. The Summer Garden was the destination dance hall for many in Southwestern Ontario, myself included.
Thanks for stopping by Neil 🙂 I am going to put your books on my reading list for the summertime, thanks for much for pointing them out to me. I love books like the one’s you wrote.
I would of loved to have experienced the Summer Garden, but at least I get to read about the many memories that others have enjoyed there over the years thru the internet and also this blog post. This is a good consolation prize in my books 🙂
have a super day!
It was a great dance hall, Liz, and Port Dover was the place to be on hot summer nights. I tell people I’m not going back to the Fifties … I never left.
I hope you enjoy “The Summer Garden and the Song” – a 2-book realistic fiction love story, circa 1959, when you get to them this summer. Both books include countless cameos of tobacco farming, music, people, events and places from the era and area. They are also available from my publisher, Cavern of Dreams Publishing in Brantford. Check out my Author – Music page on their website for information.
Best wishes.
That is a good statement..”you never left”, I love it 🙂
Thanks for some more info on the book, I look forward to reading it.
Liz 🙂
I had a couple in my restaurant today inquiring about the Summer Garden and wondering when the old girl burnt down. I new it was Jan. 1978 but was questioned by a co-worker so I went on line and discovered your wonderful blog. I don’t even know what blog is but the story was beautiful. My family grew up beside the last Summer Garden and my father worked there. Wonderful memories, Thanks
Hi Diane! Thank you for stopping by and leaving this wonderful comment. I love reading about others memories about articles I post on my website, thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Great blog post! I did not know the original history of Summer Garden but for teen back in the early 70’s this was ‘the’ hot spot on a Sunday night. Only 40 minutes away we saw some of the greatest of Canadian bands at this venue. It is still an unforgettable spot even though it no longer stands. Each time we go down to Port Dover the empty spot brings back so many memories. I am glad it was part of my life. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your story, I love hearing about others experiences at places that brought them so much joy. I’m glad you have those memories, and thanks for sharing a bit with me 🙂
Liz
Hi Liz
I just came across your blog on Port Dover’s Summer Garden.
Nice writing, and thanks for keeping the memories alive of the great days of music. You might be interested in two other books I wrote, “Lake Huron’s Summer Dance Pavilions – Sand, Surf and Music,” and “The Kee to Bala is Dunn’s Pavilion.” Much of the info from those books is included in “Let’s Dance.”
Hi Peter! It’s so nice to hear from you, I just have to say that I absolutely love your book on the Ontario Dance Halls. Thank you for putting all the work into this wonderful piece of history. I have actually done a few other posts, that have come from your book (Kenwick on the Lake (I’m originally from Sarnia so this one was close to my heart), Palace Pier and the CNE Dance Venues). My goal is to go to as many as I can, and spread the word on this history that you beautifully wrote about.
Thank you for the tips on the other books, I am 100% going to pick them up!
Keep up the excellent writing 🙂
Liz
Hi Peter! I want to let you know that your book is going to get a mention this Sunday on Zoomer Radio during a special Swing Era Program via the show ‘Vintage Favourites’. http://www.zoomerradio.ca/show/vintage-favourites/week-vintage-favourites-january-14th/
Gene Stevens who is the host said that my blog and your book will be mentioned around the 3:20pm hour after a pair of Guy Lombardo songs.
Have a great day!
Liz
Hi Liz
Hey thanks so much for the info. I really appreciate it & I’ll be sure to tune in!
Peter
Fantastic!
Summer gardens was the last building on the north side of the street where you drive down to the beach. To your left, if you are standing on the beach looking west, you will see the lighthouse on the pier.
Oh Fantastic, thanks Mary! I will make a note the next time I’m in Port Dover.
Mary’s comment was correct. It was near that picnic area just between the water and Knetchels hot dog stand. That one photo of the venue posted here that is taken from a higher vantage point was taken from the hill behind the summer garden which is the hill where all those cottages are above the beach. The modern photo posted of the picnic area with green grass and rocks is over by the pier and is a different spot. Great Blog. I can’t drive up highway six into Port Dover without thinking of all those bands pulling into town with a car load of gear. In Robbie Robertson’s book, he said their gig at Port Dover was weekly and every Sunday.
Thanks for the confirming the info Joe. It was hard to know where the location was never being to Port Dover before. But now I know!
Liz
Hey Liz,
Thanks for the post. Im a relative of Don Ivey on my mothers side and I always loved hearing people talk about the Summer Gardens. I wish it was around when I was growing up in Dover. The location was just to the left of Knechtel’s restaurant (between the restaurant and the beach). The Beach House (restaurant across the street), has lots of the old band posters and a part of the original sign.
Hi Jenn! Thank you for stopping by and sharing some more information on the dance hall. I really appreciate it. The hall seemed like an amazing party to meet friends and have a super time. When they invent time machines we will go 🙂
Liz
I remember going there every sunday night to here ronnie hawkins and the hawks play. Robbie robertson levon helms rick danako richard manuel garth hudson and of course ronnie hawkins. They rocked the place and at break time would be outside and you could talk with them .what a special time it ws. I am 75 now and i remember it like it was yesterday.
What a fantastic memory! Thank you so much for sharing this with my readers. And Ronnie Hawkins is pretty fantastic.
Thanks for dropping by.
Liz
Growing up in Port Dover meant you were at the Summer Gardens every Sunday in the summer. As a teenager we went Saturdays for the Big Bands and Sunday for the Rock. One Sunday after the Dance of the Rose’s, Mike Quatro (Suzie Quatro’s younger brother) threw a flame from his guitar(?) and one of the big paper roses that over hung the stage caught fire. He never missed a beat and one of his roadies rushed out with a fire extinguisher and saved the day.
Lighthouse, Bob McBride as a solo, The James Gang (just after Joe Walsh had left), Chubby Checkers, Liverpool, Skip Vanwinkle (after Teagarden left), anybody that toured played unless they played The Belgium Hall in Delhi on the Saturday. The Belgium Hall had a clause in their contract that said if you played there you could not play in another venue within a certain area and that area happened to only extend as far as Port Dover.
Still miss The Gardens and Pops Ivey.
This is marvelous memories! Thank you so much for sharing them with my readers and myself. This is why I have my blog, so I can hear wonderful stories like what you shared. The Summer Garden’s sure did sound like an amazing time and I’m glad you got to experience when you did.
Thanks for dropping by!
Liz
An excellent take on the Summer Garden history…..I was fortunate to spend my high school summers heading to Dover for the weekend concerts and it was always a highlight. We experienced a large assortment of great live music in the final years of the last Summer Garden. Lighthouse, Crowbar, Fludd, The James Gang and Dr Hook were just a few of the great shows on stage. It was the best summer venue and right on the beach……Thanks for the great trip back down Memory Lane!
Hi Bob,
Thank you so very much for sharing memories of the Summer Garden. Sounded like a really fun time!
Have a happy new year!
liz
Saw Rush here back before they became famous and not too long before it burned down. Had no idea who they were. But it was obvious they were going to be a big deal.
That is cool! fun when you can look back and see that you saw a piece of history (the band and the last days of the Dance hall). Thanks for sharing your story 🙂
Liz
I would come to Port Dover from Brantford often to see so many bands, many of which I saved the posters displayed around town promoting the shows.
The shows I couldn’t get tickets for, I would sneak in.
I have many posters still.
So much history.
Is there a list of all the bands who performed there since the beginning?
And if not, could we start one?
Peter
What great memories and fantastic that you kept many of the posters.
As for your question, I have not seen a list when I did my reserach but that does not mean that it does not exist, maybe there is a facebook group out there.
Since I never attended the Summer Garden Dance Hall I would not be the one who should start a list, but you should since you have many of the posters to remind you. Where to share it?? Facebook, start a one page blog? Not sure but have fun putting it together if you do it!
Liz
I saw Lighthouse at the Summer Gardens in either 1969 or 70. I was 13. Great memory.
oh cool! Thanks for sharing!
Liz
Hi Love the posts about the Summer Gardens , The first time I went I was 16 (1962 ) I was with friends picking tobacco and would end up at the Summer Gardens after a visit to the Arbour , Ronnie Hawkins played there in those days and in between sets a band called the ‘Dovermen ” took the stage . Those days were pretty wild at times as we had lots of pent up energy from hard work all week . and possibly a flask in our back pockets ,.. Once as I watched the Dovermen on stage a kinda wide guy in front of me stepped back and right on my toe with his cowboy boots and I a bit under some kinda influence from the flask ,got ready to give him a right hander as reward for half crippling me …..As I got the right drawn way back …the guy turned and said ” sorry bud ” with a smile that only Ronnie Hawkins could do LOL…we shook hands instead 😀
OH WOW! That is an awesome story about Ronnie Hawkins! He was such an incredible performer and apparently a polite guy too 🙂
Thank you for sharing this with myself and my readers, I really enjoyed it.
Liz
The Vintage Inn.
The Picture showing Ronnie Hawkins and the Band is incorrectly labeled Robbie and The Disciples with The Hawks (The Band) – (1960s)
Robbie Lane and the Disciples is a Canadian Group but shown at the Summer Gardens it’s Ronnie Hawkins. The Drums are Labelled The Del Tones also a Canadian Group who became The Beau Marks.
My guess is The Band and The Del Tones were backing Ronnie Hawkins.
okay thanks for the update. I appreciate it.
Liz