The Delta Museum and Archives Society recently launched Our Delta Stories, a project that asks community members to share their favourite Delta story in 250 words or less. The stories will be posted to the society’s social media pages and website, while some will also be printed in the Optimist. Here’s the latest:
Throughout its history, Delta has been a community with a busy social scene. In the 1940s, community dances were regular occurrences sponsored by the IODE, the Kinsmen, the Legion, the Chilukthan Rebecca Lodge and many other community associations and service clubs.
Some had themes like the Gingham Dance, the Gay Nineties and the Hayseed Ball. Some celebrated special dates like the IODE’s 1948 New Year’s Eve Ball that had 750 attendees! And some were just plain old dances.
They all featured live music including such travelling performers as America’s Finest Dance Attraction Maurice Jackson and his famous All-Girl Orchestra.
During the war years, the Royal Canadian Air Force sponsored dances at the Boundary Bay Airport. Men stationed at the air training base also attended local events. After the war, Boundary Bay Airport continued to be the site of many social events bringing together the residents of the Vancouver Wireless Station and the larger Delta community.
The photo shows attendees at a Rebekah dance in 1946 at either the East Delta Hall or the Delta Community Hall that stood at the corner of Elliott and Chisholm streets until it burned down in 1968. Note the mezzanine which was a feature of both halls.
See anyone you recognize?
