Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

La Monica Ballroom

Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 15, 2022

1. La Monica Ballroom Marker

Inscription. The famous La Monica Ballroom, built by internationally renowned ballroom designer T.H. Eslick on this site in 1924, was once the largest ballroom in the world. Vast and ornate, the ballroom consumed so much of the Pier that, when viewed from the beach, it appeared as a monumental building floating magically above the sea.

Its storied run on the Pier included the dance marathons during the Great Depression depicted in director Sydney Pollack's 1969 film "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?". In 1948, popular country swing music star Spade Cooley first televised his weekly TV program from this ballroom; it was the first time that a TV variety show was ever televised live.

Erected by Marcerich and Santa Monica Place.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 34° 0.543′ N, 118° 29.865′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue. Marker is located on Santa Monica Pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 356 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica CA 90401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker.

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Muscle Beach (here, next to this marker); Sinbad's & Moby's Dock (here, next to this marker); Playland Arcade (here, next to this marker); Santa Monica Harbor and Breakwater (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Monica Pier (about 600 feet away); The Santa Monica Pier Carousel (about 600 feet away); Will Rogers Highway (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rapp’s Saloon (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Monica.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 15, 2022

2. La Monica Ballroom Marker

Marker is located at a little kiosk on the Santa Monica Pier along with two other plaques (this one is on the left)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 12, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.