Dance Hall Rock
In late November 1879, the wagon train stopped at Fortymile Spring for several weeks while men built the road to the canyon rim and on to the river. During the long layover, the pioneers kept spirits up with dances at this sandstone amphitheater, known as Dance Hall Rock, now a National Historic Site. Dance Hall Rock is located 36 miles or so down the Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Gathering in celebration, members of the Hole-in-the-Rock Expedition found a the smooth floor, sheltering alcove, and natural acoustics of this beautiful sandstone amphitheater perfect for fiddle music and dancing. From mid-November to early January of 1880, these special occasions provided pioneers welcome relief from their labors.
WillhiteWeb.com - Utah Sights
Dancing was one of the most important recreational activities for pioneers in the West. They danced squares, waltzes, mazurkas, schottishes, polkas, and Virginia Reels. An observer at the time stated, "In every Mormon train there are usually some musicians, for they seem to be very fond of song and dance, and as soon as the camp work is done the younger element gather in groups and trip the light fantastic toe with as much vim as if they had not had a twenty mile march that day.
Do you hear the fiddle music?
National Historic Site
The dance floor from the back of the alcove