The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-04-03

utmost so that enlisted men OF Fort
Huachuca may have an abundance
of good, clear. and wholesome
recreational relaxation after right
days training.
When the present post COM
mander Colonel Edwin N. Hardy,
assumed command OF Fort Hus-
chuca on April II, 1912. he realized
Immediately the necessity for the
blishment OF some form OF gen.
teel amusement in the settlement
OF Fry. Immediately adjacent to
Fort Huachuca, which would &C.
commodate large numbers OF sol
diers. He saw that this was neces-
airy as means of providing reason
able recreation outside the reserva.
ton and as means OF protecting
soldiers against unsanitary and un-
suitable forms of recreation within
The Fry settlement. He also appre-
ciated the fact that there was no
real amusement to be had in this
community without soldiers travel
ng long distances to the closest
towns - Tucson. Nogales Naco.
Douglas. Bisbee. Tombstone. and
border towns in Mexico. He imme-
d,ately tried 10 interest substantial
colored people in establishing an
amusement center. and although
professional amusement groups
stood ready TO expedite he project,
Col Hardy persisted with the orig
inal colored groups until they were
firally sold on the idea
This structure was designed by
Paul Williams. Negro architect OF
Los Angeles. Calf. who is out
standing and second TO none In his
field Mr. Williams directs. from
his offices located in Hollywood
Calf. a staff that Is by no means
small in size nor short in efficiency
He Is responsible for more than a
few Of the homes OF prominent
movie stars and notables in the
exclusive districts OF California
There are also numerous executive
buildings OF Los Angeles and other
large cities in the United States
that have dripped from his archi-
tectural pen He ard his staff have
put forth an all-out effort to make
this the finest army recreational
center tbarrins neHel in the-United.
States.
Ones first impression upon enter
ing this huge dome-shaped edifice
.s that of well-appointed pleas
IRE palace" The first eye-s;riking
feature is the 64O0 50. feet OF dance
floor. surrounded by tables and
chairs. To the right is a sizeable
stage that will play host to some
Of the nations most prominent
scholars. artists and name bands.
To the left is 100 foot bar where
soft drinks and 80 beer will be sold
exclusively. no hard liquors per-
mi.ted. A basement 'pre-cooler" OF
1000 so. feet, capable of holding two
freight carloads of leading brand
beer, has been installed. This cooler
maintains a temperature Of 40 de-
g-ees al all times.
The back bar is made UP Of seven
eye-arresting mu-als. bearing the
theme OF Now Peace With Victory"
Encased in frames OF bamboo and
with indirect Lighting. bringing out
every minutes detail. the efficacious-
ness Of the artist, William E. Scott
OF Chicago. IL. is irdisputable.
To the rear OF the building Is
beautiful lawn covered patio.
studded with comfortable garden
furniture. where one may relax and
enjoy a sandwich from the.snaek
bar" Equally beautiful are the
living quarters provided for the en-
ployees OF the center A lawn
fron;ed. shrub dotted building with
ar ample number OF spacious rooms:
each room on the outside. offers
comfort 10 those who reside there
when off duty.
Despite the many criticisms and
rumors by the iradeQustely in
Horned, there is no doubt that this
Recreation center will be an ex-
ce,lent morale builder and NOT
broihel which will prove a grea;