PIECE OF HISTORY: Dances welcomed new year in 1926 in Cedar Rapids

One gunshot reported, but no one hurt

By Tara Templeman, - The History Center

Jan. 24, 2023 5:00 am

People dance at the Montrose Hotel, at Third Street and Third Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 1926. It was one of five public celebrations welcoming the new year. (The History Center)

Cedar Rapids welcomed the new year loudly and with many dances on Dec. 31, 1926.

The party at the Montrose Hotel, on the corner of Third Street and Third Avenue SE, was one of five public celebrations.

The Mandarin Inn and the Travel Inn also hosted parties, and the Majestic and the Strand theaters offering midnight showings that evening.

There were also many private parties, bridge clubs, midnight radio programs and lodge parties.

Most government offices and private businesses were closed Jan. 1, 1927, and the Retail Grocers' and Butchers' Association also encouraged grocery stores and meat markets to close.

The only serious incident reported during the celebrations was that a shot fired into the air at 1 a.m. landed in the bed of L.E. Marsh at 1711 D Ave., but he wasn’t injured.

Tara Templeman is curator at The History Center. Comments: curator@historycenter.org