Coliseum Ballroom Burns Down

A 10,000-square-foot facility in Benld, Ill., that was built in 1924 burned to the ground July 30. The Coliseum Ballroom had a modest appearance but was a longtime stop on many tour itineraries.

The ballroom was still active when it was destroyed, although some of it had been converted into an antique store. The band Shadow of Doubt was on stage when members saw the fire and asked the audience to exit. None of the 60 to 80 attendees were seriously hurt, although a handful was treated for smoke inhalation.

The Coliseum Ballroom had an illustrious history: performers included Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles and even AC/DC.

It also had a lot of character. The original owner, Dominic Tarro, was a known bootlegger and Mafia associate, according to the Freditorials blog. Mafia meetings with armed guards were common, with boss Al Capone sometimes dropping by to check up on the venue’s business, which may have included a prostitution ring. It was also said to be haunted.