The Pueblo Pepper Steppers Square Dance Club came about as a result of a merger between two Pueblo clubs - Leather & Lace and Buttons & Bows - decided to merge in 2012. There was a contest to name the new club, the name Barb McPaul submitted was chosen. At one time, there were multiple square dance clubs in Pueblo. The Pepper Steppers, known for their friendliness and hospitality, now serves the region.
1980's Photo of Southeast Area Square Dancers on the Royal Gorge Bridge.
From the Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center
From the Pueblo Chieftan, July 28, 2019: When Bob Wilson grew up in Brook, Ind., he recalls learning about the Royal Gorge Bridge from one of this grade school textbooks.
“It sounded very mysterious and unattainable,” said Wilson, who was born five years after the bridge was built. “That was a long way, far away to me.”
Little did Wilson realize that he would end up moving to Pueblo — and not only would he get to see that unattainable bridge, he and his wife actually danced across it.
“We were in the Buttons and Bows square dance club in Pueblo and we square danced with the Canon City club on the bridge,” he recalls. “It was a tremendous amount of fun for my wife
The Wilsons were among many square dancers who participated in the annual Bridge Dance event which lasted about three decades.
“It started in 1978 and Spike Cowlishaw of Colorado Springs called the last one in 2007,” said Puebloan Dick Henry who was a caller for Buttons and Bows. “We would dance in the parking lot and then on the bridge. It was quite a celebration!”
Wilson recalls dancing on the bridge was a bit tricky due to the tight quarters and “we had to be careful because it may have swayed a little bit. It was such a wonderful get together,” he said.