The Crystal Ballroom is a true Portland landmark, a 100-year-old ballroom that's played host to old-time dances, soul legends, psychedelic freak-outs, alternative heroes and more owners than an NBA franchise. In many ways, its evolution tells the story of the city. Drawing upon the Oregonian's archives and Tim Hills' book "The Many Lives of the Crystal Ballroom," here's a timeline of the Crystal's first century as it prepares for a birthday celebration. (Photos courtesy of McMenamins.)

January 1914

The 1905 patent for the "elastic floor" technology used in the Crystal Ballroom.

For his latest project, dance instructor Montrose Ringler opens Cotillion Hall, the venue that will eventually become known as Crystal Ballroom, on the corner of SW 14th Ave. and Burnside. Its possibly risqué dances become an immediate target of Lola Baldwin, the head of the Portland Police Bureau's Women's Protective Division. To aid in dancing, the ballroom is constructed with an unusual ball-bearing "floating" floor, technology debuted in 1905. Upon its opening, the Oregonian calls the venue "resplendent." (Ringler, by the way, also introduced the new sport of basketball to Rip City.)

1916

The Crystal Ballroom, then Cotillion Hall, in 1916. Founder Montrose Ringler is pictured at left.

Fall 1921

After numerous run-ins with the police, Ringler is arrested twice. The hit to his reputation and strained financial resources from supporting his many venues causes him to give up the Cotillion Hall lease.

1924

A fire damages the hall in the midst of a period of turmoil for the venue. Between 1921 and 1928, it changes managers six times.

1928

"Dad" Watson takes up residence at Cotillion Hall with his Old-Time Dancing Club, ushering in a Depression-era interest in vintage dances that preceded the racy moves of the Jazz Age.

September 1933

The ballroom's owners had defaulted on its property taxes, ending Watson's lease. The Hall goes up for public auction and is sold to Mrs. L. Grace Vial. Meanwhile, the jitterbug supplants old-time dancing as the hot trend of the moment.

1934

Ralph E. Farrier takes over the Hall's lease, an arrangement which will last until 1962. Old-time dance programs, including waltzes, polkas and square dances, continue to draw crowds to the venue.

Sept. 27, 1940

The Woody Hite Band plays a private event at Cotillion Hall, a rare appearance for a jazz big band -- Farrier eschewed the genre in favor of the music and movements championed by Watson.

Dec. 30, 1950

The Hall reopens as the Crystal Ballroom, just in time for New Year's dances -- its manager's favorite. Farrier, who supervised the venue in between his full-time duties as the owner of American Casket Co., was returning from a two-year leave of absence.

1959

The Crystal celebrates the Portland centennial. "Guests came in the guise of a famous historical figure," Hills writes. The venue changes hands again this year, to Carl Peters. Farrier takes another break, and audiences for dance halls -- thanks to the newfound popularity of a strange little box known as "television" -- thin out in Portland.

New Year's, 1961

Farrier, in fading health, offers his retirement. His speech inspires Sandy Sanders, who takes over as manager and keeps the dances coming.

November 1962

Mune Louie buys the Crystal Ballroom, which he'll own for over three decades.

-- David Greenwald