CASCADE DANCE HALL. In 1921, William "Billy" Warren (b. 1885 - d. 1943) built the Cascade Dance Hall. The building featured unique Dutch Colonial details such as a bell-shaped roof line, arched openings, and a decorative parapet. The hall, known for its floating dance floor, was considered one of the best in Western Canada. Accompanied by Jim Hutchin's orchestra, dances were held nightly during the summer and on special occasions throughout the year. Between 1963 and 1978, the building operated as a wax museum. Later, it was subdivided for stores and restaurants. Building owner Billy Warren was also an early guide and outfitter in Banff. He accompanied many visitors, most notably Mary Schäffer, an American naturalist-artist-writer, on expeditions in the Rockies. In 1915, after many years of travelling together Warren and Schäffer married. Backed by his wife, Warren pursued many other ventures, including Rocky Mountain Tours, Banff Motors, and the Cascade Hotel.
