Glen Echo in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Glen Echo Park: Spanish Ballroom
c. 1943
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, February 18, 2008
1. The Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom marker
Social dancing has been an important attraction at Glen Echo since the 1890's. The Spanish Garden Ballroom, built in 1933 in the Spanish Mission Revival style of architecture, boasted a 7,000 square-foot maple dance floor, colorful columns and red roof tiles. Many famous dance bands of the day performed in the exotic space.
[Caption:]
Dancers pack the Ballroom on a warm night in 1943. The picnic grove was a popular place to cool off and socialize during the dance break.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location. 38° 58.044′ N, 77° 8.317′ W. Marker is in Glen Echo, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from Macarthur Boulevard near Goldsboro Road (Maryland Route 614). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo MD 20812, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Glen Echo Park: Protest Years 1960 (here, next to this marker); Glen Echo Park: Aerial View c. 1954 (here, next to this marker); Glen Echo Park: Chautaugua c. 1891 (here, next to this marker); The Clara Barton Trail (about 300 feet away);
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Glen Echo Park c. 1930 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Glen Echo Park Yurts (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); A Trolley Returns to Glen Echo (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Trolley Parks In America (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Glen Echo From Past to Present (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); 1921 (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Roller Coasters of Glen Echo Amusement Park (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Glen Echo Parks Crystal Pool (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Changing Face of Glen Echo (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. These pictures were taken with Elite Chrome
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, February 18, 2008
2. The Spanish Ballroom
The photographer is standing near the Bumper Car Pavilion.
Regarding Glen Echo Park: Spanish Ballroom. The Spanish Ballroom remains an active center for the DC region's dance community. Here are some examples of ongoing dance styles and schedules:
Dance DC
A variety of dance styles on Thursday nights.
http://www.dancedc.com
The Friday Night Dance at Glen Echo Park.
Mostly Contra Dance and Square Dance with some Waltz.
http://www.fridaynightdance.org
The Washington Swing Dance Committee
Swing Dance on Saturday Night
http://wsdc.org
Waltz Time
Mostly Waltzes but with some Tangoes and other styles. 2 Sunday afternoons per month.
http://www.waltztimedances.org
Folklore Society of Greater Washington
Mostly Contra Dance and Square Dance with some Waltz.
http://www.fsgw.org
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, February 18, 2008
3. The Spanish Ballroom
The photographer is standing in the grove of trees near the main entrance.
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, February 18, 2008
4. The Spanish Ballroom
The photographer is standing near the Crystal Pool.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,587 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 25, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.
