The History of the Shufflers Shanty

The Shufflers Shanty has a special place in the history of the Prairie Shufflers. 

When the club lost the lease on its former hall—scheduled to be torn down for road expansion—members decided to take matters into their own hands. 

Unable to find a new space, the dancers formed the Prairie Land Company in 1969, incorporated, and sold stock to club members and supporters to raise the funds needed to build a new home.

Construction began with a groundbreaking in the spring of 1969, and by October the Shufflers Shanty opened its doors with an incredible turnout of more than fifty squares of dancers. That record attendance is still remembered today.

Although the Prairie Shufflers Square Dance Club does not own the building itself, a few current members do hold stock and help look after the hall’s well-being.

 The club rents the Shanty monthly and also manages rentals to other groups. The club covers utilities, cleaning, and minor maintenance, while the Prairie Land Company handles taxes, insurance, and major expenses.

After all these years, the Shufflers Shanty remains one of the finest dance halls in the Pacific Northwest—cherished for its history, community spirit, and the dancers who keep it alive.