Hank Nuwer
The First Masquerade Balls
By Hank Nuwer
Masquerade Balls were about the most popular social event of the year in pioneer Cordova. Guests braved winds, snows, and icy trails to gather for food, drink and comradeship.
The first ball was put on in 1912 by the Eagles Club.
The second in 1913 was a red-hearted Valentine’s Day evening ball (also sponsored by the Eagles’).
The Noreniae sisters were on hand to furnish music and explain the finer points of new dances from the eastern U.S. cities.
A doorkeeper was on hand to keep out local miscreants. All guests were required to lift masks and show faces at the door to the doorkeeper.
The 1916 Masquerade at Eagle Hall sponsored by firefighters had strict rules. Those without costumes had to sit on the sidelines as wallflowers.
Admission in ’16 was $1 per couple.
The floor was buffed and in fine shape for dancing.
The Cordova Daily Times offered this commentary the morning of December 30, 1916.
“The Cordova Fire Department has a right to expect the residents to attend their ball tonight. It is one way of showing an appreciation of the work the boys are always willing to perform when duty calls them.”
Decoration committee members worked long hours to deck out the Eagle Hall with a bower of colorful pennants, artificial flowers, and streamers.
Local businesses outdid each other in creativity while doling out prizes.
The New Year’s Eve ball was sponsored by Cordova Firemen in 1922. You could win 100 pounds of coal from the Alaska Transfer Company, a pink umbrella offered by Finkelstein and Sapiro, a week’s lodging at the Windsor Hotel, a box of cigars from several donors, and numerous cash prizes.
The list of prizes in 1922 went on and on, listed in the Cordova Daily Times of December 21, 1922.
Here’s some of those prizes: Two pair of silk hose or a silk blouse for Madam, a premium ham and bacon, lots of kitchen bowls, a pail of lard with roast, pairs of Florsheim, Hanan and Nettleton shoes, a serpentine stone box, a photo album, a nugget brooch, a carton of cigarettes, an electric water heater, a fancy cake, and a reading lamp.
These balls had music and dancing, of course, and some years sponsors served a midnight lunch.
The 1916 Masquerade Ball was also a New Year’s Eve affair.
Prizes were doled out to costumes like the following: Best Dressed males and females, Most Original Costume, Most Comical Character, Best Tramp, Most Original costume, Best Group and, from the Northern Meat Market a side of bacon awarded to the Best Hebrew Character.
Oy Vey!