The Spanish Castle
1931 - 1968
Old Highway 99
Corner of Pacific Highway S. & Des Moines Way
Between Tacoma and Seattle, Washington

The Spanish Castle - Image courtesy of Don and Ron Edge
(Does that sign say 18 cents per gallon for gas?)


This is how the Spanish Castle appeared in about the 1930's and 1940's.


This is how the Spanish Castle appeared in about the 1960's.

It is sad to say that this building, one that had such a significant place in Pacific Northwest music history, no longer exists except in photographs and in our memories.  In its day, this was one of the "in" places to go and attracted the top bands on the Pacific Northwest and national music circuits.  When people think of the Castle, they think of the Wailers, Sonics, Jimi Hendrix and all the other creators of that time in PNW music history.

We are in the process of compiling a list of the bands that performed at the Spanish Castle in the 60's.  If you had a band that played here, have a flyer or advertisement for gigs at the Castle, memories to share, or remember seeing a particular band perform at this establishment, please let us know and we will add their name to the list of bands that performed here.  Send any information to our Webmaster.

The Spanish Castle, a popular dance hall, was built in the 1930's on Pacific Highway South at Midway. The building was demolished in April 1968.

I was one of the people involved in tearing up the old plank dance floor at the Castle's end. Thought you'd like to know that it was installed at the Butler's gas station on 225th & Des Moines Way, Des Moines, WA. The gas station is long gone, but the floor remains as part of the new Butler's Bar & Grill.  99% of the patrons don't have a clue as to what history they're walking on.  Still have many of those famous brass hat check tags and wall paintings.

Bob, Titusville, FL, November 2008

I was one of the teenagers who rocked out regularly at the Spanish Castle in the 60's.  I was there the night the 3 kids were tragically killed while trying to cross Hwy 99.  The Castle was a magical place for teens to go to dance, to fall in love, to make friends and to hear some of  the greatest rock 'n roll bands.  I remember hearing the Kingsmen, the Adventurers, and the Wailers.   I still have the original LP " The Fabulous Wailers at the Castle" in my collection.  I may be mistaken, but I think I remember Kathy Young and The Innocents also performing there...if not... the song "A Thousand Stars in The Sky'' haunts my memories of falling in love at the Castle every Friday night.

Jan Olsen, February 2009

I graduated from Highline High School in 1963 and didn't miss many weekends at The Castle.  Prior to that, you might say I grew up at The Castle as my father, Carroll W. Deignan was the pianist and did vocals for the Gorden Green Orchestra for 18 years.

As a child, I learned to dance there and sat amongst the musicians on the tiered levels watching and listening.  Gorden Green actually was the person who named me at my baby shower.  The dance floor, mentioned by the salvager in one of the notes, was custom made for dancing as it would "give" to the steps.  It was amazing when I was a teen and we started line dancing, you could see and feel the floor moving up and down with the steps.  The "disco" ball in the middle hanging from the ceiling was also a big part of the ambiance.

It was a rich part of my family history so am sad there is nothing left of it.

Lynne Deignan Fuller, Wenatchee, April 2009

Ernest Tubb recorded a live album (which I have) for Decca records at the Castle in 1964.

Darrell Anderson, September 2008

This is how the interior of the Spanish Castle appeared in about the 1960's Photo Courtesy of Bob Christensen

Night People on The Spanish Castle stage in about the early 1960's Photo Courtesy of Bob Christensen	Night People on The Spanish Castle stage in about the early 1960's Photo Courtesy of Bob Christensen

Some of the bands and personalities that appeared at the Castle

Image courtesy of Don and Ron Edge

Credits: Dean Tonkin, Steve Hudziak, Ginny Lee (Howell), Bob Christensen, Gretchen Christopher, Gil Larson, Ron Roe, Peter Simpson, Walt Melewski, Pat Teal, Steve Miller, Chuck Curry, Don Edge, Ron Edge, Darrell Anderson, Darryl Riffero, Jan Olsen, Don Streeter, Lynne Deignan Fuller, Neil Rush