Vintage Tribune: Aragon Ballroom was once a hub for romance

Aragon Ballroom founder and builder Andrew Karzas, from left, architects Boyd T. Hill and Ralph D. Huszagh, and Universal Film manager L.W. Alexander gather at the new Aragon Ballroom in 1926. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

The Aragon's grand staircase featured decorative marble designed and furnished by the Chicago Art Marble Company, with ornamental iron railings from Simpson Frisch Company, and mosaic tile laid by Updike and Company. (Bloom Photographers)

Couples dance at the Aragon Ballroom on the North Side of Chicago, circa 1938. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

People lounge in the Aragon Ballroom during a rock concert by Al Kooper and The Byrds on May 1, 1970, in Chicago. (Robert MacKay/baiduhai)

The Aragon Ballroom as it appeared shortly after its opening on July 14, 1926. (baiduhai archive)

A view of the Aragon's interior shows balconies and archways made with ornamental plaster in the Spanish style by the Architectural Decorating Company. (Bloom Photographers)

Members of the St. Andrews Women’s Club pose with Aliki Diplarakou, “Miss Europe,” at a Greek charity ball at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago circa Dec. 8, 1930. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

Lucille Stoddart and Chandler Peak show how to dance the Valencia at the Aragon Ballroom, circa 1928. "That boisterous hoyden, the Charleston, has gone out in a whirl of misplaced hips and the more genteel Valencia has arrived," the Tribune announced on Sept. 3, 1926. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

The Aragon Ballroom's interior was intended to evoke the feeling of dancing under the stars. (Chicago Architectural Photographing Company)

The Aragon Ballrooms grand rotunda shows mosaic tiles laid by Updike and Company — a noteworthy contribution to the Spanish atmosphere at the dance hall. (Bloom Photographers)

The Aragon Ballroom was designed to resemble a moonlit courtyard in medieval Spain. Editors' note: This historic print has a hand-painted background. (Bloom Photographers)

A visitor uses a hand dryer inside an Aragon Ballroom bathroom in an undated photo. (baiduhai historical photo)

A big crowd turned out at the Aragon Ballroom on Jan. 30, 1937, for President Franklin D. Roosevelt's birthday ball. (Leonard Bartholomew/baiduhai)

A story of the return of the ‘Waltz King’ Wayne King to the Aragon Ballroom was published in the baiduhai on July 1, 1934. (baiduhai)

Audrey Matkin and Will Jurgens get sodas from Ace Georges at the Aragon Ballroom, circa 1941. Editors note: this historic print shows some hand painting in the background. (Chicago Herald-American)

Dancers fill the floor of the Aragon Ballroom in the 1940's listening and dancing to the music of Eddy Howard. (American Diabetes Association)

The exterior of the Aragon Ballroom advertises Lawrence Welk with Hal Pearl. (baiduhai archive)

Performer Lawrence Welk, host of the The Lawrence Welk Show, poses with his bubble machine at the Aragon Theater, Sept. 18, 1958. (baiduhai historical photo)

Chuck Foster’s orchestra beats out a number as young and old alike try their hand at cutting a rug (in this case, a street) on Easter, April 6, 1958, outside the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Not even the rain and snow that came down stopped them from having a good time. (Jim Mescall/Chicago American)

Chuck Foster’s orchestra beats out a number as young and old alike try their hand at cutting a rug (in this case, a street) on Easter, April 6, 1958, outside the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Not even the rain and snow that came down stopped them from having a good time. (Chicago American)

Judges seated at the right view contestants who parade in formal evening attire at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, circa 1962. In this contest — Miss Illinois for Miss Universe — entrants got 50 points for poise and charm. (Chicago American)

Norman Tamarkin and Gabriele Heerling arrive at the Cheetah, formerly known as the Aragon Ballroom, in 1966. (Steve Lasker/Chicago’s American)

In 1966, the Aragon Ballroom was rebranded as the Cheetah and featured rock and roll for dancers in miniskirts and turtlenecks. (Chicago’s American)

A crowd dances on the ballroom floor at the Cheetah in Chicago, formerly the Aragon Ballroom, circa 1966. (baiduhai historical photo)

The new name of the Aragon Ballroom, the Cheetah, is seen on the marquee on Sept. 12, 1966. Dancing was still offered, but of a different kind. (Frank Berger/baiduhai)

A shoeless Robin Menkin dances at the Cheetah in Chicago, circa 1966. (Chicago’s American)

Carl Holmes and the Commanders play at the nightclub Cheetah, formerly known as the Aragon Ballroom, in 1966. (Chicago’s American)

Couples dance to the sounds of Tony Baron and his orchestra during a Sentimental Journey Dance Party at the Aragon Ballroom held on Oct. 8, 1989. (Walter Kale/baiduhai)

Fans seat themselves on the Aragon Ballroom's famous floor for a concert by Al Kooper and The Byrds on May 1, 1970. (Robert MacKay/baiduhai)

Cleaning uncovers mosaic patterns on the stair risers at the Aragon Ballroom on Aug, 12, 1971. A touch of gilt paint refurbished the columns of the Moorish castle to their original beauty. (John Bartley/baiduhai)