Sixty-four years ago, the newspapers carried the announcement of the grand opening of a new entertainment venue in the Rochester area, and the place was known as "Bill's Barn." Strictly speaking, Bill's Barn is in Shelby Township, since it is located on the east side of Dequindre Road, just north of Auburn, but I'm including its story in this blog because it is right across the township line and was frequently by many Rochester people in its heyday.The proprietor and manager of Bill's Barn was William Schroeder, who opened the dance hall on July 26, 1946, with Rochester's own Hollis Hinkel and his orchestra providing the music. The inaugural dance was a benefit for the Brooklands Fire Association, and regular public dances began the following night. The hall became a popular spot for square dance enthusiasts and teens following contemporary dance as well.
One year after the grand opening, the Brooklands Exchange Club announced that it would sponsor a youth center at Bill's Barn, serving teens from Shelby and Avon Townships, and the building became a focal point of teen social events throughout the following decade.
By the time I was a teen, Bill's Barn had been converted to its current use, the home of the local Disabled American Veterans chapter and the location of a weekly flea market. I imagine that there are plenty of "Bill's Barn" stories out there from its dance hall days - how about it, readers?
How well I remember this--used to go there every Saturday night for the square dancing. Great place!
ReplyDeleteI am friends with William Schroeder's grandson. His grandsons still live in the house next door to the barn.
ReplyDeleteMy parents operated the snack bar for a couple years in the mid sixties. And I helped.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember Jimmy Williams and the Drifters that played there? Also Johnny Powers and Jack Scott?
ReplyDeleteI met my husband there in 1961. He was stationed at Selfridge and him and several other airmen used to come there to dance because they weren't old enough to go in a bar. Most of them were just out of school and away from home for the first time.
ReplyDeleteMy father certainly remembers, and a close friend of his was in the Drifters band.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Charles "Bill' Schroeder who died on Christmas eve, 1973, age 80, was the grandfather of my wife, Mary Ann (Schroeder) Randall. We were married in 1959 in the Brooklands Subdivision at the Gethsemane, Lutheran Church,1892 East Auburn Rd, Rochester Hills, MI. Mary's family lived on the south side of the parking lot. Her brother's family & grandparents lived on the north side at 47360 Dequindre Rd. We have many memories of the many family events held in Bill's Barn. The barn was actually on the Macomb County side of Dequindre Road in Utica, MI
ReplyDeleteDale_Randall@SWBell.net
My name is David (Rowe) Rohelier and I played lead guitar for Jack Scott at Bill's Barn in 1956. Also in the band were Billy Gray on steel guitar, Stan Getz on bass, Dominic Scafone (Jack's cousin) on drums and Wayne Sutton on fiddle. We had many local artists frequently sit in with us including, Don Rader, Johnny Powers, Jimmy Kirkland and others. Prior to working there with Jack Scott, I would frequently attend when Jimmy Williams and the Drifters were there. Does anyone know how to get in touch with Jimmy Williams? I haven't seen him in years.
ReplyDeleteI have info about Jimmy, Jack, & Johnny. Coapman@gmail
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