Welcome to the Atlas Obscura Community discussion of Silver Dome Ballroom in Neillsville, Wisconsin. Ask questions or share travel tips, experiences, pictures, or general comments with the community. For the story behind this place, check out the Atlas Obscura entry:
Cool building, butā¦what is it about the dance floor that makes it unique? Why did they call it the āfloating dance floorā? Really curious!
Looks like the writer missed a great opportunity. Theres loads more info here:
Not only did they not discuss it, there wasnāt even a photo of the interior! Very disappointing. Thanks jacs for the link to a more detailed article!
There is a hotel with a floating lobby(?) I forget the details but people love to dance there. Can anyone write an article about a modern floater?
Yes their web site not only describes the floating floor, but also the unique Lamella truss, which is very cool indeed. Suggested adding details about both the floor and dome along with pictures. Here is a web page with some history of the truss system.
Thanks jacs and carlsont. I was pretty confused about why this info wasnāt included in the article.
form website http://silverdomeballroom.net/about : "Another most remarkable feature of the Silver Domeās construction is that the ballroom rests on dozens of concrete piers which hold the entire structure about a foot off the ground. This design not only allows sufficient airflow to prevent the floor beams, flooring and other foundation materials from rotting, it also provides such āgiveā to the dance floor that dancers report being able to dance for hours without discomfort as compared to other, less-forgiving dance floors. Area dancers describe it as a āfloatingā dance floor.
NEILLSVILLE, WISCONSIN](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/silverdome-ballroom)
There is a restaurant in Victoria BC Canada that also has a āfloating dance floorā. McMorranās Restaurant was built in the early to mid 1900ās. It was THE place to go for dancing as the floating floor meant that you were less tired after dancing the night away. While the restaurant has a new name (The Beach House Restaurant) and is an event venue, I believe they still have the dance floor.
Hey @CassEdwoods! It looks like your comment was meant for the Floating Dance Floor place discussion. Iām going to move it over there now.
Thank you all for the clarifications and great insights! Iām sorry this place page fell short. Just a reminder that if you ever find one of our Place pages that you think could be improved, you can always submit an edit by clicking the āSuggest an Editā button below the page titles. In any event, thank you again!
Thanks, Eric. Yes, it was meant to go there, but I didnāt find any other route. Can
you tell me how, for future reference, please?
Caroline
Sure thing! You can join a specific conversation about any of our Place or Food listings by clicking into that discussion through the box at the bottom of each entry page. I hope that helps!
Thanks, jacs! Fascinating details, and the truss information is a bonus!
Iāve been coming to this area for years and never knew about this. I looked up āWhatās Near Meā tonight just to tell someone about Atlas Obsura. And this popped up!
I canāt wait to see this! If I can get a tour Iāll be sure to add some pics!
Yay! I love when we can find the wonders in our own backyards!