Neff's Hill, Once a Sault Ste. Marie Dance Hall Landmark, Destroyed by Fire

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Neff's Hill, a beloved dance hall in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, had a storied history before being destroyed by a fire in 1964. The hall, built in the early 1940s by brothers Harry and Cliff Neff, was a popular destination for music and dancing, hosting bands like Don Ramsay's Ramblers and Mike and his Westerners. Over time, the building was converted into apartments, but in December 1964, a fire swept through the structure, leaving two families homeless just days before Christmas.

Why it matters

Neff's Hill was a cherished part of Sault Ste. Marie's cultural history, serving as a gathering place for the community and a landmark along Second Line. Its destruction marked the end of an era and the loss of a beloved local institution.

The details

The Neff brothers built the substantial dance hall at the top of the first hill on Second Line in the early 1940s. During its prime, the venue could host up to 300 people at a time, drawing crowds with live music and the chance to win prizes like movie tickets or even live chickens. Over the years, the building was converted from a dance hall into an apartment building. In December 1964, a fire broke out, likely caused by an overheated oil stove, and completely destroyed the structure. Two families living in the apartments escaped the blaze, but were left without a home just three days before Christmas.

• In the early 1940s, brothers Harry and Cliff Neff built the dance hall.
• During its prime years, the dance hall could host up to 300 people at a time.
• In December 1964, a fire broke out in the building, which had been converted to apartments.