Postcard History

If your father told a story of how he and your mother drove 305 miles from Baltimore to Celoron Park in Jamestown, New York, for their honeymoon to see the “Baritone with Muscles” would you know who they went to see? The baritone epithet was just one of the many nicknames dubbed on Vaughn Monroe.

Celoron Park was a lively and popular entertainment center often referred to as the “Coney Island of Chautauqua.” On July 4, 1941, the park would have been humming with excitement as crowds gathered to celebrate Independence Day and enjoy a performance by Vaughn Monroe and his orchestra. That weekend the featured guest-artists were Marylin Duke and Ziggy Talent.

The park itself was a spectacle. There were rides featuring a Ferris wheel known as “The Phoenix” and a roller coaster, all in a lakeside setting. The Pier Ballroom, a popular venue within Celoron Park, was likely the stage for Monroe’s performance.

The ballroom, known for its elegant atmosphere, would have been packed with eager fans dressed in their finest, ready to dance the night away to Monroe’s deep baritone voice and swinging melodies. For all this, the admission was $2 per couple if you had purchased your tickets in advance.

Monroe, who would later become famous for hits like Racing With the Moon and There, I’ve Said It Again, was gaining popularity at the time. His performance at Celoron Park would have been a thrilling experience, with couples swaying to the rhythm of his orchestra. When Marylin Duke took the stage, everyone would stand and listen, but the fun began when Ziggy Talent put down his saxophone and stood up to dance, “… cause he had ants in his pants.” The sound of brass instruments filled the air, and when Monroe reached for the microphone, the applause was thunderous.

Outside the ballroom, the park would have been alive with festivities. Families enjoyed the carnival games, and the smell of popcorn and cotton candy floated through the air. There wasn’t a moment of silence until long after midnight when the last of the fireworks fell into Chautauqua Lake. It all made for an unforgettable evening.

It was pre-war America. The Depression was over. Those who wanted to work had jobs. People had money and it was a time when a young couple could start their lives together and be quite successful. The young couple in this story were eager to find a home and get to work. He had just finished a six-month tech-school program in truck mechanics, and she had a responsible job at USF & G (an insurance company) in Baltimore.

Though Celoron Park eventually closed in 1962, it remains quite real in the memory of anyone who ever visited. Monroe’s performance on that summer night in 1941 would have been a moment of joy and celebration, a snapshot of an era when big band music reigned supreme and amusement parks were the places to go for a community gathering.

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Vaughn Monroe was born in Akron, Ohio in October 1911. He was a big band leader, baritone singer, and trumpeter who rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s. His deep, resonant voice earned him several nicknames but his fans called him Vaughn.

Monroe formed his first orchestra in Boston in 1940, becoming its leader and principal vocalist. It was with this first band that he signed a recording contract with RCA Victor. His signature song, Racing With the Moon (1941), became a million-seller. Other hits included There I’ve Said It Again (1945), Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (1946), Ballerina (1947), and Riders in the Sky (1949).

Beyond music, Monroe had a presence in radio and film. He hosted the Camel Caravan radio program and starred in movies like Meet the People (1944) and Singing Guns (1950).

His orchestra was known for its romantic ballads, but in live performances, Monroe often reserved the final set for swinging, high-energy music.

As the big band era declined, Monroe transitioned to nightclub performances and continued working with RCA Victor until 1956. He passed away in May 1973, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most recognizable voices of all time. People who heard him sing in person (and for others who listened to his recording) have never forgotten.