Geneva in Ashtabula County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pier Ballroom

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

1. Pier Ballroom Marker

Top photo caption
The Pier was accessed by a long boardwalk across which many well-dressed couples traveled to enjoy an evening of dancing and entertainment.
Don Woodward collection

Bottom photo caption
The Pier Ballroom included a bathhouse on the beach, and what a wide, beautiful beach it was! The ballroom, bathhouse and beach have all faded from the scene, but in its heyday, The Pier was the finest of its kind between Cleveland and Buffalo.
Jack Sargent GOTL collection

Inscription. The Pier Ballroom was built for E.M. "Pop” and Martha Pera in 1927. The grand ballroom was the finest of its kind between Cleveland and Buffalo. A contest was held to name the attraction, and "The Breakers” was chosen. But Martha Pera disliked the name and changed it a year later.

The Pier was a magnet for many of the major big-band performers of the day. Notables who played at The Pier included Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Lawrence Welk, Ozzie Nelson, Tommy Tucker and Kay Kayser. Gentlemen were required to wear ties and sports coats, while ladies had to wear dresses when visiting The Pier. During The Depression, the ballroom used the "park plan” system that required guests pay 10 cents for each dance; rope boys made sure that only ticket holders entered and cleared dancers from the floor after each set.

The last dance was held at The Pier in 1973. The contents were auctioned off in 1994 and the building razed shortly thereafter.

Erected by Ashtabula County Civic Development Corporation, Geneva-on-the-Lake.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 41° 51.626′ N, 80° 57.128′ W. Marker is in Geneva, Ohio, in Ashtabula County. Marker can be

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reached from the intersection of Lake Road East (Ohio Route 531) and Golf Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5469 Lake Rd E, Geneva OH 44041, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Miniature Golf (within shouting distance of this marker); The New Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Pera's Kiddieland (within shouting distance of this marker); Pergola Gardens (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gas Stations (about 700 feet away); The Popcorn Ball (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shady Beach (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ransom E. Olds-Birthplace (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Geneva.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

2. Pier Ballroom Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.