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Our Arklahoma Heritage: Dancer and animal rights activist Irene Castle moved to Eureka Springs in 1959

Writer's picture: Dennis McCaslinDennis McCaslin

Vernon and Irene Castle were a celebrated husband-and-wife ballroom dancing team of the early 20th century, renowned for their innovative dance styles and influential contributions during the period surrounding the First World War.


Vernon Castle (born William Vernon Blyth, May 2, 1887 – February 15, 1918) hailed from Norwich, Norfolk, England. Irene Castle (born Irene Foote, April 17, 1893 – January 25, 1969) was the daughter of a prominent physician in New Rochelle, New York.


Vernon chose "Castle" as his stage name when he first performed as a comic actor. Before meeting Irene in 1910, Vernon had already made a name for himself as a dancer in comedic roles, often playing a gentleman drunk who elegantly stumbled about the stage.


V



ernon initially trained to become a civil engineer, but his passion for the performing arts led him to New York in 1906. There, he established himself as a comic actor and conjuror. Irene, who had studied dancing and participated in amateur theatricals, met Vernon in 1910 and married him the following year, despite her father's objections.


After their marriage, the couple traveled to Paris, where they performed at the Café de Paris, captivating Parisian society with their American ragtime dances like the Turkey Trot and Grizzly Bear. Their success in Paris paved the way for their triumphant return to New York in 1912, where they became the toast of the town.


The Castles opened a dance school called Castle House, a nightclub named Castles by the Sea, and a restaurant, the Sans Souci, in 1914. They also starred on Broadway in Irving Berlin's debut musical, "Watch Your Step," and toured with the show until 1916. The Castles played a key role in popularizing close dancing and African-American music among affluent white audiences. Irene’s fashion sense set national trends, including the bob hairstyle favored by flappers in the 1920s.


The Castles appeared in newsreels, wrote a bestselling instructional book titled "Modern Dancing," and starred in the feature film "The Whirl of Life" (1915). Their celebrity status helped them endorse products like Victor Records and Victrolas.


They traveled with a black orchestra led by James Reese Europe, and their progressive attitudes extended to having an openly lesbian manager and advocating for animal rights.


During World War I, Vernon returned to the UK to serve as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. He achieved notable successes but tragically died in a plane crash on February 15, 1918, at Benbrook Field, Texas. Irene honored his memory in her memoir, "My Husband," published in 1919.


Irene continued her career in silent films and stage productions, and her fashion influence remained strong. In 1939, her life with Vernon was immortalized in the film "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle," starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.


Irene married three times after Vernon's death:



Robert E. Treman (1923-1925): After Vernon's death, Irene married Robert E. Treman, a New York lawyer, in 1923. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1925.


Frederick McLaughlin (1927-1931): Irene's third marriage was to Frederick McLaughlin, the owner of the Chicago Black Hawks hockey team, in 1927. They divorced in 1931.


John Canfield Ely (1933-1969): Irene's final marriage was to John Canfield Ely, a retired stockbroker, in 1933. They remained married until Irene's death in 1969.


After the death of her fourth husband, Irene Castle moved to Eureka Springs in 1959 to be near her son. She purchased a house she named Destiny Farm, located just a few blocks from the Crescent Hotel.


Irene quickly became a beloved figure in the Eureka Springs community, often seen enjoying the social life at the Crescent Hotel. Her home, Destiny Farm, served as a sanctuary for rescued animals, reflecting her lifelong commitment to animal welfare.


Irene's dedication to animal rights continued throughout her life. She founded the Illinois animal shelter "Orphans of the Storm" in 1928, which remains active to this day. Irene passed away on January 25, 1969 in Eureka Springs leaving behind a rich legacy of dance, fashion, and compassion.


Vernon and Irene Castle are interred together in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York, and a monument to Vernon stands near the site of his crash in Benbrook, Texas.


Their story is one of innovation, elegance, and an enduring commitment to making the world a better place, whether through the art of dance or the care of animals.



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