History: The unique facility now known as Memories was built as Weiler's Log Cabin Ballroom by Leo Weiler in 1934. Designed as a world class dance hall, its hardwood maple suspension floor continues to provide an exceptional dancing experience today. The logs used to build the rest of the facility were made from tamarack trees pulled from a nearby swamp.
Leo Weiler held frequent dances with area Big Bands such as Romy Gosz & his Recording Orchestra and Lawrence Duchow & his Red Raven Orchestra.
Sonny Smith purchased Weiler's in 1958 and continued bringing in bands for dances. In 1950's, liquor laws changed and Weiler's became a "teen bar", serving beer only. During this time, one 1963 paper affectionately touted it as "one of the most famous bars in the state".
- Bands that played at Weiler's include
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Chubby Checker
- Tommy James & the Shondells
- Gary US Bonds
- Bobby Vee
- Mary Chapin Carpenter
- Kitty Wells
- ... and more!
In 1986, the Smiths sold Weiler's to Marty Zivko, who renamed the facility "Port Zivko."
In 1990, Bobi and David Schultz bought the facility, naming it "Port Danceland." They were responsible for many of the renovations that makes Memories the beautiful facility it is today. In 1995, the Schultz' renamed the facility "Memories".
Rolland Roebuck and Lynn and Bob Klemm purchased the facility in 2003, and continued to nurture the growth of the dinner theater. 2020 celebrates our 30th dinner theater season. Every year, thousands come to Memories for our warm ambiance that we like to describe as "rustic elegance"; delicious and bountiful meals; friendly and personal service; and of course our exciting dinner theater productions.
What memories have you made in our log cabin ballroom? Click here to share your stories and picture!
We thank you, as always, for your support!
Winning Entry for Memories ’ 2008 “Share your Memories” contest celebrating our 75th anniversary…By Betty Ewig, Dated September 15, 2008
My story is a little different. There used to be a one-room schoolhouse on the corner of LL and Lake Drive . It was called “Blakeville” school. My brother, Leland J Allen and myself, Betty J Allen Ewig, lived half a mile South of Memories and walked there.
The first thing I remember is Leo Weiler’s Log Cabin tavern in 1934 when we started school at Blakeville. My folks bought our home in 1932. A few years later Leo decided to build a ballroom.
When it was finished and the floor all polished, he invited all of us kids (anywhere from 15 to 20 or so) to come over. We took our shoes off and skated all over in our stocking feet. Then he gave us all candy bars and a soda. He was so good to us!Our school was torn down in the mid 1950s to make room for Memories’ parking lot. I must have been around 8-10 years old when he invited us over. I’m 82 now and my brother is no longer with us. Just thought you’d find this interesting. I enjoyed the “madrigal singers”, a few plays and weddings also.
Sincerely,
Betty J (Allen) EwigWe had a band called Denny and the Crown Jewels, from Sheboygan, and used to play music at Weiler's Bar on Saturday nights around 1960. I think it was a "beer joint" then too. All the young people left Milwaukee County and came out to Weiler's. That's when Sonny Smith owned the place. Sonny had a daughter named Sandy. Anyway, I am from Two Rivers and the man with the Saxaphone is from Manitowoc. We used to take turns driving to Sheboygan and then took all the instruments, drums and all, and put them into a '56 Pontiac station wagon and drive the rest of the way. I am 78 years old now and am still enjoying life. Sonny also had a bar between Two Rivers and Manitowoc before he owned Weiler's. The bar was just across Highway 42 and the beautiful Lake Michigan. Just some memories of days gone by. That's me on the right (I was the singer). Wayne Brunner
