History of the Palacios Pavilion

History of the Palacios Pavilion. . , In 1904 the Palacois City Townsite Company erected the first pavilion. Jules Leffland of Victoria was the architect, and the pavilion was constructed under the supervision of contractors Hatchett and White of Bay City. A roof covered the open air pavilion, which had a double deck. A walkway enciried the dance floor. A pier led to the pavilion. Dressing rooms were erected east and west from the pier, and there was a catwalk on each end of the south side of the pavilion for mooring boats. In 1932 local businessmen purchased the pavilion from Mayhew Lumber Company, the mortgage holder on the property. The pavilion was remodeled, and the bathing booths were removed from the west wing to make room for a restaurant and fountain. In 1934 a hurricane destroyed the back pier, diving chute, and a few feet of the pier near the shore. A Seawall Commission was formed to supervise the building of both a seawall and a new pavilion. The seawall, bay front, pier and pavilion were deeded to the City of Palacios. The new pavilion was dedicated on November 1935. The pavilion was 300 feet from the shoreline on the east side of the pier. Construction was of steel, faced with weatherboard. The roof was an immense dome supported by steel girders. The hardwood floor was 100 feet in diameter. To the south was a two story building which was connected to the pavilion by a hallway and stairs: lockers and restrooms were on the lower floor with a seafood cafe, called the "Pier Cafe" on the upper floor. The 24'x600' pier terminated to a 70 foot T-head, with a catwalk on each side for fishing and mooring of boats. There were ornamental railings and lampposts at intervals along the pier and T-head., In September 1961, Hurricane Carla destroyed the pavillon. In January 1962 the floor was replaced on the round area and the pier received new wooden planking. In July 1988 the City of Palacios completed the project of constructing a roof over the existing Roundhouse dance floor. A massive center column supported the roof. For stability, it was anchored with new columns attached to the perimeter columns. Extra supports were added to the existing floor supports. In July 2003 Hurricane Claudette caused enough damage to the supports of the pavilion to render it unsafe for the public's use. For over a hundred years the citizens of Palacios and visitors have enjoyed a pavilion at this site. As of August 31, 2005, the structure still stands awaiting a decision as to its fate.