The History of Hispanic Houston's Pan-America Ballroom

Throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, one Houston venue was the epicenter for music and dance. The event space drew some of the biggest performers to Houston's Hispanic entertainment scene.
The building has long been demolished, but the memories created live on through the memories of the Houstonians who went to the Pan-America Ballroom.
Great Day Houston and Houston Historian, Mister McKinney take a look back at the ballroom's history
To learn more about Mister McKinney, or his work in our community, visit MisterMcKinneysHistoricHouston
Archival photos & video courtesy of:
• Gregorio Torres Valerio Collection, Houston Public Library, Houston Metropolitan Research Center
• Paul Hester Collection, Houston Public Library, Houston Metropolitan Research Center
• Associated Press
• National Archive
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[@JDDoyle-yr4jm]

My, WHAT a very cool history capsule, Mister McKinney, you do Great Work!

[@atxtrace5861]

My grandparents Ann and Louis Kherkher owned the Pan America Ballroom. My dad worked there many weekends behind the bar. There is a picture of them in the video. They were the most hard-working and generous people I have ever known.🥰

[@UrbanOutlaw713]

Cool video. I grew up hearing stories of the pan American from my parents and all the old people in my near north side neighborhood. I even went Thomas Jefferson with miss Carmen nuncios daughter in the late 80s early 90s.

[@johntorrez714]

As a teenager, I looked forward to dancing at the Pan American matinees which were designed for the teenagers only. Later as an adult, I spent many a weekend dancing to the live music of the Chicano bands that played at the club. Great times and great memories.

[@UrbanOutlaw713]

I think by the late 70s the neighborhood had changed in a lot of ways it seems the neighborhood declined at that time thru the 90s. my grand father got to main and quitman in 58 before the freeways my grand mother got to 1st ward on Crockett in the 40s they both had a lot of oral history about the area . Wish there were more videos like this

[@GreatDayHouston]

Thank you for watching!!

[@JuanHernandez-vl3zi]

So what happened to Selena