The History of the Shufflers Shanty

The Shufflers Shanty stands as one of the most important chapters in the history of the Prairie Shufflers.

In the late 1960s, the club learned that the lease on its dance hall would soon end when the property was slated for road expansion. Faced with losing their home and unable to find another suitable location, club members chose an ambitious path: they would build their own hall.

To make that dream a reality, supporters organized the Prairie Land Company in 1969 and sold shares to members and friends of the club. Through determination, fundraising, volunteer effort, and countless hours of planning, the vision gradually became a reality.

Construction moved quickly. Ground was broken in the spring of 1969, and by October the new hall was ready to welcome dancers. 

The grand opening drew an incredible crowd of more than fifty-one squares of dancers, a record attendance that is still remembered today.

The Shufflers Shanty has remained a treasured gathering place ever since. 

While the Prairie Shufflers Square Dance Club does not own the building itself, the club continues to rent and care for the hall, managing day-to-day operations while the Prairie Land Company oversees taxes, insurance, and major expenses.

Below, you will find a collection of original photographs, newspaper articles, correspondence, meeting notes, and historical documents that tell the story of how the Shufflers Shanty came to be. 

Together, these records preserve the determination, cooperation, and community spirit that made the project possible.

You can also watch the video below featuring a Prairie Shufflers member sharing firsthand memories and insights about the history of both the club and the Shufflers Shanty.

More than fifty years later, the Shufflers Shanty remains one of the finest square dance halls in the Pacific Northwest and a lasting testament to what dedicated dancers can accomplish when they work together.