A Prolific History

From when it first opened its doors, the Brown Derby has worn many hats. Each time a change was made, the Brown Derby evolved to better suit the ever-evolving needs of downtown Waterloo. Beginning in 1906, it was constructed and served as the lodge for the Waterloo Elks Club. Over the years, it also housed the Knights of Columbus and even served as a flu hospital during the worldwide Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918. It eventually became known as the Brown Derby Bottle Club and had many successful years before falling in disrepair from its heyday. Now, the Brown Derby Ballroom has been fully renovated into an event space to serve as a prized venue to the people of downtown Waterloo.