Victor Josselyn, WInnipeg's Dance Hall King

 © 2025, Christian Cassidy

While researching the history of 225 Fort Street, (read that story here), I came across Victor Josselyn, who played an important role in that building's early years as a dance hall. It turns out he was an investor and manager of several of Winnipeg's early dance venues, such as The Coliseum (1912 -  1917), the Alhambra (1917 - 1926), the Jubilee (1923), and Paradise Gardens (1931 -  ca. 1938).

Joselyn played an important part in the city's early entertainment history but not being connected to a theatre, he has been forgotten about over time. He was known as a charitable man, having hosted dozens of charitable events at his venues, especially during the First World War. 

Unlike some entertainment promoters, Josselyn kept a very low profile. He was rarely quoted in the papers about his venues or other activities and was never interviewed about his personal life.

Here's my attempt to find out more about his life and work.

Victor Eugene Josselyn was born in San Francisco and came to Canada around 1900 when he was in his early 20s. He does not appear in local street directories until the year The Coliseum opened in 1912, so he may have been wooed here by the partners in the Colosseum Amusement Company to be an investor and to manage the venue.

Though he was most associated with the dance halls, like most entertainment men he had other investments as well. For instance, he was the manager (and likely a part owner) of the Royal Albert Hotel circa 1920. His widow, Adelaine Josselyn, said in a 1976 interview that she first met Victor in 1926 when she was hired as a pianist at the Strand Theatre and he was a partner.

Josselyn managed The Coliseum until its closure in 1917. The ownership group changed and the hall reopened that fall as the Alhambra dance hall, later to be renamed Alhambra Dance Gardens.

During the Alhambra years, Josselyn also managed the Jubilee Dance Pavilion, a summer-only venue, in 1923. He may have been a part owner as the venue was around from 1919 to 1929.

In the late years of the Alhambra, sporting events took equal billing to the dances and Josselyn gained a good reputation as a wrestling and boxing promoter.

When the Alhambra property was sold to Diamond Taxi in 1926, Josselyn didn't continue with entertainment or sports. One newspaper article said he had moved to England for a while. He reappears in local street directories in 1928, living at 35 Edmonton Street with no occupation listed. In 1930, he was noted as being "retired".

There was one more venture for Josselyn.

In 1931, he spent $75,000 to create  Paradise Gardens located on a 20-acre site just north of Kildonan Park. It contained a dance pavillon that could hold 3,000, a dining facility, and a 300-car parking lot. Over the first summer, lawn bowling, tennis courts, mini-golf, a shooting gallery, boat dock, market garden, swimming pool, and picnic area were added. 

The venue opened on May 24, 1931 with dancing each night until 2 a.m.. In true Josselyn style, he opted not to have an official opening ceremony for the park, telling a reporter that he preferred to let Winnipeggers see for themselves and decide if the park is worth it.

Paradise Gardens, which was billed as an amusement park, advertised regularly for the first couple of years. In October 1932 a classified ad read that due to poor health, contractors were being sought to run many of the activities and concessions. In October 1938, another classified ad appeared stating that due to poor health, the whole park was for sale.

Victor Josselyn died after a long illness at his home on Dunkirk Drive in July 1954 at the age of 74.