Rockaway Pavilion
Rockaway Pavilion
Western Montana’s newest dance hall in 1931 was Homer Rock’s Rockaway Pavilion, 11 miles south of Missoula near Lolo. The grand opening was announced in the Daily Missoulian on June 6th in a quarter page advertisement that noted its many fine qualities. It had “ample” parking for 1,000 cars with “police protection.” Also included was an “all you can eat” family style supper for 50 cents and music by Tommy Meisinger and his Montana Serenaders. Cold drinks were mentioned in the ad, but none were alcoholic beverages. Prohibition was still in force and would be until 1933.
Homer found out later in 1931 that he was in violation of another strange law that in today’s world sounds ridiculous. Dancing on Sundays was against the law in establishments of this type. His place was raided by Sheriff’s officers and ordered closed on Sunday, November 8. He appeared in court on December 1st, to enter a plea of not guilty. He was released on his own recognizance and awaited a hearing on the case.
Not a firm believer in this law, Homer went back to business the next spring. On opening night, April 17, Homer, along with Tom Meisinger and another man who sold tickets, was arrested again under the same charge, unlawfully operating a dance on Sunday. They appeared in court the following week and pleaded not guilty. The old charges against Homer and Meisinger, from December the previous year, were still pending in the same court. The following week they were all convicted by a justice court jury. Ultimately Rock was fined $25 and the other two defendants $15.
In the trial Homer offered as a defense that the pavilion was actually a public park and recreation center. State law did not prohibit dancing in those types of facilities. Rock also said that his property included several acres that were open to public recreation along with the pavilion.
The following month the enterprising Rock filed an injunction against Missoula County officials, asking that they refrain from interfering with dancing at his establishment at any time. He had already filed an appeal to his earlier conviction and fine. He pointed out that he had constructed a playground and had installed benches and swings for the children.
He appeared in Judge Duncan’s district court the following week in a hearing regarding his injunction request, and the Judge took briefs from the counsels and deferred his ruling. In July, Judge Duncan denied Rock’s requested injunction. But in December of 1932 a district court jury acquitted Homer Rock and the others of the charges involved in the Sunday raids by the County Sheriff. The jury deliberated less than an hour.
One of the more notable jurors on that case was Gem Mercer, whose brother, Sam, was convicted of selling intoxicating liquor at his establishment on E. Railroad Street in Missoula in 1931. Selling liquor during that era in Missoula was largely considered an informal business that was loosely tolerated, sometimes even by county officials.
Both Homer and his wife, Edith, were native Montanans. Homer Rock was born in Lolo in 1894. Edith was born in Missoula in 1897 to James and Annie Baker. They were married in 1924 and operated a small farm and dairy in Lolo in addition to the pavilion. They were involved in many local civic affairs.
Dancing went on at Rockaway Pavilion for many years. One group that appeared there more than once in the 1930’s was the Harlem Play Girls, which, according to Daily Missoulian advertisements, consisted of a 12-piece All-Girl colored band and stage show. A list of local organizations which held events there would be a long one.
The beloved Rockaway Pavilion thrived for several years afterward, but was destroyed by a fire in 1951.