The Villa Marina marks its 100th birthday today (19 July).
A pleasure palace built at the height of the Isle of Man's tourism boom years, the Villa's still regarded as one of the most impressive centres of its kind in any resort in the British Isles.
Douglas benefactor Henry Bloom Noble donated the site on which his private home stood in wooded grounds at the bottom of Broadway.
It was bought by Douglas corporation for £60,000 with a vision to create a large and lavishly decorated public facility to offer quality entertainment for the 'improvement' of visitors and residents alike.
An opulent opening night was held on 19 July 1913 - attracting almost 60 journalists.
Manx Radio's History Man Terry Cringle says word of the grand new facility travelled fast:
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