Timeline
1919
1919
- Established the Civic Improvement Association (CIA) (Feb 9)
- Decorah Republican Newspaper announced CIA’s establishment and their plans to construct a bandstand (Feb 20)
- Dedicated Soldiers and Sailors Memorial–under construction (Jul 4)
1920
1920
- John Vana sold the future Riverside Park property to G.F. Heuser (Feb 7)
- Dance held at ABCS Opera Hall to raise funds for bowery–net proceeds: $6.68 (Jul 5)
- Decided to build bowery/open-air pavilion (Aug 20)
- Decorah Republican Newspaper announced plans to establish the Riverside Park (December 16)
1921
1921
- Approved plans to build an open bowery (May 9)
- Decorah Republican Newspaper announced the plans to build a permanent pavilion (May 26)
- Completed and dedicated the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in Wilson Square (Jul 4)
1922
1922
- Opened Riverside Golf Links
- Held first dance at the Riverside Pavilion (May 10)
- Purchased park land from G. F. Heuser to establish a park (Aug 3)
- G.F. Heiser built a cottage in Riverside Park—still standing (Aug)
1924
1924
- Approved plans to erect Antonin Dvorak Memorial (Jul)
- District of Prague Catholic Sokols Tournament held at Riverside Park (Aug 29-31)
1925
1925
- Erected and dedicated the Dvorak Memorial (Sep 28)
- Voted to add 10-sided annex to pavilion
1926
1926
- Purchased uniforms for Spillville Band
1927
1927
- Purchased concert grand piano
1928
1928
- Held the Public Gymnastic Exhibition at the Riverside Park (Jun 10)
1929
1929
- Completed 10-sided pavilion annex
- Adopted Dvorak Highway signage project
1930
1930
- Added south side orchestra stage and latticed ceiling
1931
1931
- Incorporated as a non-profit organization (May 31)
1932
1932
- Mrs. Tillie Meyer donated the footbridge
1933
1933
- Experienced massive flood damage from the Turkey River (Apr)
- Held annual Dvorak Music Festival–40th anniversary (Sep 17)
1934
1934
- J.C. Wagner made small tables for the dining room
- Added wings beyond the fireplaces east and west of the dance floor
1935
1935
- The Cedar Rapids Symphony performed at the Dvorak Music Festival
- Replaced the pine dance floor with hard maple–installed 4,320 sq. ft.
- Built a bandstand north of The Inwood (where picnic shelter is located)
- St. Wenceslaus Church and Parish held Diamond Jubilee event at The Inwood/Riverside Park (Sep 28-30)
1936
1936
- Purchased additional property for Riverside Park
1937
1937
- Established the Lily Pond: plastered and drilled pump by chain link
- Purchased additional property for Riverside Park
- Luther College Band performed at the Dvorak Music Festival
1938
1938
- Purchased an additional 12 acres–22 acres total
- Luther College Band performed at the Dvorak Music Festival
- Graded the ball diamond
- Added Japanese lanterns to dance hall decor
1939
1939
- A.G. Snowden Band performed at the Dvorak Music Festival
1940
1940
- Membership grew to 42
- Reshingled the roof
- Featured “Old Time” bands on Tuesday nights and ballroom dancing on Thursday nights (1940s)
1946
1946
- Dance admission reached $0.65
1948
1948
- Remodeled the pavilion and put “The Inwood” in neon lights
1950
1950
- Hall rental was $30.00 per night
1951
1/1/1951
- Installed auxiliary light plant
1952
1952
- Redecorated The Inwood
- Hall rental was $40
1953
1953
- Father Flanagan’s Boy’s Town Choir Concert (Sep)
- Built booths on west side of dance floor (Sep)
1954
1954
- Purchased compressor, popcorn machine, and ice machine
1955
1955
- Built booths on the east side of dance floor
- Adopted the slogan: Dance and Stay Young
1959
1959
- Purchased an additional 2 acres–24 acres total
1960
1960
- First Teen Hop (May 27)
- Added center oval island in dining room
- Moved the bar to the west wall
- Moved the kitchen to the north end
- Moved the front entrance and ticket booth further north
- Built (extended existing) booths on the east side
1963
1963
- Constructed G.F. Heiser Memorial by Lily Pond
1965
1965-1970
- Temporarily discontinued Independence Day Celebration
1971
1971
- Reinstated annual Independence Day Celebration
1976
1976
- Dedicated G.F. Heiser plaque
- Installed lights on ball diamond
1978
1978
- Remodeling: removed dining room center island
1979
1979
- Renovated Dvorak Memorial for Dvorak Music Festival
1981
1981
- Renewed 50-year Articles of Incorporation in perpetuity
1982
1982
- Built picnic shelter north of The Inwood
1983
1983
- Fenced ball diamond
1985
1985
- Replaced maple dance floor
1988
1988
- Build concession stand near ball diamond bleachers
1990
1990
- Adopted open membership
1993
1993
- Held a 3-day centennial celebration of Antonin Dvorak’s visit in 1893 (Aug 6-8)
- Rededicated Dvorak Memorial and Dvorak Highway
- Experienced extensive flood damage to grounds and building (Aug 15)
1994
1994
- Repaired The Inwood roof
- Planted row of spruce trees north of ball diamond–parallel to B16 (Spring)
- Participated in the Spillville Celebration: Bily Brothers and 100 years of Incorporation/140 Years of Settlement (Jul 15-17)
1995
1995
- Planted a 2nd row of spruce trees–totaling 52
- Celebrated 75 Years of Inwood Memories (Jul 13-16)
2008
2008
- Experienced extensive flood damage (Jun 8)
2013
2013
- Built entry/awning and handicap-accessible bathroom
- Held fundraiser to raise money for flood-damaged floors (Nov 1)
2014
2014
- Held fundraiser to raise money for flood-damaged floors (May 2-3)
- Replaced the dining room floor
2016
2016
- Experienced extensive flood damage (Aug 24)
2017
2017
- Held fundraiser to raise money for the roof (Sep)
2018
2018
- Turkey River rose to 14.42 feet (flood stage is 9 feet)
2019
2019
- Repaired and reshingled The Inwood roof (Jun)