Quadrille Club
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What is a Quadrille Club? The Quadrille was a popular dance in the 1800’s involving four couples. It was a predecessor to American square dancing. In the 1870’s multiple Quadrille Clubs were popular in Lowell.
Known clubs include the Lowell Quadrille Club, the Young Men’s Quadrille Club, and the Excelsior Quadrille Club. Necessary elements for a fun and entertaining dance party include the best location, a symphonic band, and a prompter, or caller. Lowell had all of the elements. Train’s Opera Hall was the perfect location for dancing clubs. The Quadrille Clubs met here as well as other dance clubs over the years. One prompter named in an advertisement in 1873 is Z. Howe. Orchestras mentioned in advertisements include Balcom’s Orchestra and Worden’s Orchestra. Zadok Howe and his wife Charlotte raised their family in Lowell. In his career Zadok was a watchmaker. He was ingenious and an inventor. He acquired at least one patent. His love was as a musician and entertainer. He worked as a prompter and formed his own orchestra. His obituary stated that “Howe’s dance orchestra furnished the incentive for many an evening’s sport.” Balcom’s Orchestra was led by George Balcom. George and Sophia lived at the peak of Peck’s Hill (James Street) while they lived in Lowell. George served as a musician in the Civil War. He owned a jewelry store while living in Lowell but moved to Kalamazoo and opened a music store. George Balcom’s son George attended music academies and became a Clarinet soloist. He played with New York Symphony, J.B. Brooks orchestra in Chicago, Shutes’ orchestra, and others. From 1898 - 1901 he toured England and Europe with the famous mounted band of twenty-four white horses, attached to Ringling Brother’s Circus. George and Sophia, along with their son George all returned to Lowell in death and are buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Worden’s Orchestra was led by Gilbert Worden. Gib Worden was well known as a popular dance fiddler. After the death of his wife Permelia, he rented a room upstairs of the Banner Laundry in the “old wooden row”. (Old wooden row is the block the today contains Hop Hog and MI Hometown Furnishings.) He was the self-appointed night watchman because he knew the wooden row was a fire trap. Ironically, the fire that burned down the block started from a spark in the laundry room. He and Permelia are buried in Oakwood Cemetery. With the talent in Lowell combined with the availability of Train’s Opera Hall, Lowell’s dance scene was a popular choice for socializing in the 1800’s. When the Quadrille popularity came to Lowell, the clubs formed and Lowell was dancing the Quadrille! Images: Train's Opera House Zadock Howe George Balcom 2 images of people dancing the quadrille |
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