Unique Wildwood dance hall now on historic register
By:Julie Brown Patton
To commemorate one of Wildwood's longest continually run operations, Stovall's Grove Rockhorse Saloon was added to the city's historic registry at the Sept. 14 Wildwood City Council meeting.
Located off Hwy. 100 at 18720 Stovall Lane, the Old Stovall's Grove Tavern was one of several buildings and land parcels that George and Mollie Stovall purchased in the 1930s. The set of buildings at that time served as a tavern, dance hall, general store and post office. The site also functioned as a stagecoach/wagon train stop between 1845 and 1904.
When the original tavern building burned in 1958, the current dance hall became the primary building on the site. The grove still is used for concerts and outdoor seating.
Joe Vujnich, Wildwood's planning and parks director, said that Stovall's character, interest and value is part of the heritage and cultural characteristics of Wildwood. He also emphasized that its location and unique physical appearance is widely recognized by community and surrounding county residents. He added that the building is suitable for preservation and that the business has potential to contribute to Wildwood's history.
Wildwood City Councilmember Ron James (ward 6) said Stovall's is "loaded with historic significance" and the list of musicians who have performed there is "a mile long."
Delmer D. Stovall, country music musician, co-founder and last surviving member of the Missouri Valley Boys Band and co-founder and owner for more than 50 years of Stovall's Grove in Wildwood, passed away on Mon., Jan. 25. Delmer and his twin
Local legend Delmer Stovall passes away
brother, Delbert Stovall, toured Nashville and the Midwest with their band and performed on weekends at Stovall's Grove. Delmer continued to play his classic Martin guitar at Stovall's Grove into his 80s.
Delmer served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and was awarded five bronze stars.
