Historic Building

This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, Arkansas Historic Preservation Society.

The FlagandBanner.com headquarters and storefront resides in the same building as the historic Taborian Hall and the Dreamland Ballroom that once showcased legendary musicians of the 1930's. Story continues below.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Taborian Temple housed many commercial endeavors including professional offices for Dr. J. V. Jordan, dentist, and Dr. W. B. Black, physician, the Gem Pharmacy, the Ritz Beer Garden, and the Dreamland Grill. By 1937, the Dreamland Ballroom was firmly established on Taborian's third floor. The popular dancehall with its famous “swing floor” was a hotbed for big bands, jazz, and blues, and the scene for dances, socials, and basketball games. It was a regular stop for the "Chittlin' Circuit,” a national touring company of professional black entertainers, revues, and stage shows.

With the advent of World War II, the United Service Club, USO, bought the building and turned the first to the third floors into a club that served thousands of black soldiers from Camp Robinson (formerly Camp Pike) and the Stuttgart Air Base. The Dreamland ripped and rollicked during those war years and beyond with legendary musical artists including "Fatha" Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Ella Fitzgerald, and comedians Redd Foxx and Sammie Davis. Local stars cut their musical teeth in the Dreamland too including Blind Al Hibbler, Louis Jordan, the Yellowjackets, and Lloyd Armon and his Orchestra.

In 1954, the Temple became known as Taborian Hall, and housed three nightclubs: Twin City Club was in the basement; the Waiters Club was located on the second floor; and the Dreamland had morphed into Club Morocco, with an emphasis on “rock.” During the 1950s, “The Blues Boy” B.B. King brought his “Three O’Clock Blues” to the premier night spot along with “Famous Blind Singing Star” Ray Charles who sang “Little Rockers” into hysterics with “Midnight Hour,” and “Roll With My Baby.” Throughout the early 1960s, Taborian Hall's musical legacy remained strong, but by 1970 had ended.

In 1991, Kerry McCoy, purchased Taborian Hall as a new home for her business, Arkansas Flag and Banner. Through Ms. McCoy's efforts, the building has been preserved. She is now in the preliminary stages of renovating the legendary Dreamland Ballroom, an effort to save and to share this magnificent auditorium with the community. The million dollar renovation project is expected to break ground in 2007, with completion targeted for 2008. The New Dreamland Ballroom will reopen as an event center and be available to rent in late 2008. Local architectural firm, Jameson Architects, is leading restoration efforts on Dreamland Ballroom. The firm is also responsible for the rebuilding of the Mosaic Templar buildings on the corner of Ninth and Broadway.

Arkansas's FlagandBanner.com welcomes the public to browse the first floor factory showroom, filled with all things patriotic and flying the red, white and blue…a fitting enterprise for a building with such a proud heritage. Showroom hours are Monday - Friday 8 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. For more information or to schedule an event contact kerry@flagandbanner.com.

Article by Berna J. Love

About the Author:
Berna J. Love, is an Arkansas historian, museum professional, and educator, who has researched and written about Little Rock’s West Ninth Street for almost twenty years. Working with a committee of dedicated volunteers, Ms. Love is currently working to collect and preserve the history of Taborian Hall and the Dreamland Ballroom for the edification and enjoyment of all Arkansans. Many of the oral histories of “happenings” at Taborian Hall and the Dreamland Ballroom will be preserved in a book Ms. Love is currently writing. It will be a companion to her 2002 publication, End of the Line, A History of Little Rock’s West Ninth Street.

“It is an honor for me to be associated with such an exciting and unique project. It is only right to restore Dreamland to its former glory and status as a viable part of the Little Rock scene.”

Ms. Love is actively seeking individuals with memories of Dreamland and the activities that took place there. Contact kerry@flagandbanner.com if you would like to share your memories with us.