Round Lake Casino History

Many people have pleasant memories of this historic structure located at 5942 ROUND LAKE RD. LAINGSBURG, MI. They, or their parents, enjoyed dancing as the swinging sounds of Big Band jazz echoed through the rafters. Built as a lakeside pavilion, it was converted into a dance hall, and opened in 1912 as the Round Lake Casino.

In 1925, as created by Stewart DeVault, the Casino became Club Roma. People of all ages came from miles around to enjoy Club Roma. Some came to listen to the many six and nine piece bands that entertained nightly each weekend. Club Roma played host to many groups of the Big Band era. Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller were among those who appeared at Club Roma. It became the hottest nightspot in the area, featuring the largest dance floor in the state.

During the depression, Club Roma served many purposes other than a dance floor. It also doubled as a roller skating rink. The lower level was used as a bath house, and was usually crowded. The hot summer months always found many people swimming at the adjacent beach of Round Lake.

A member of a local family (the Spagnuolo Family) was told by a man from Chicago that his friend, Al, was looking for a place where no one knew him. A place where he could relax and enjoy himself. At Round Lake, Al Capone found the perfect hide-out. Renting two cottages on the lake close to Club Roma, he became a frequent visitor to the club. Over the years there have been many changes. From Casino to Club, Dance Hall, Skating Rink, to Restaurant.

Vita and Bob Titus, along with their family, purchased the building in 1986 when it was in complete disrepair and falling into the lake. Their interest in saving the historic building motivated them to take on the ambitious restoration. After shoring uo the main columns and beams, the entire building (all 144 tons) was lifted from it's foundation. The lower level was removed, reconstructed, and a sea wall was installed. The building was finally lowered into the new foundation.

On September 7, 1988, with it's nautical design firmly in place, Club Roma found rebirth and was christened with the name "Sweetwater Wharf".

Every since June of 1997, the spirit of Club Roma and Sweetwater Wharf was reawakened in Jambalaya's. With New Orleans cuisine and atmosphere, live musical entertainment and fun filled evenings, laughter once more resounded through the rafters. Seating was available for up to 200 guests with two banquet rooms including the 'Capone Room' situated in the restaurant off of the main dining room, and the Lakeside Room in the lower level. The lower level was completely separate from the restaurant with a private entrance, full-service bar, restrooms, dance floor, and lakeside patio.

JAMBALAYA'S LAKESIDE NEW ORLEANS CUISINE was owned by Mr. Davis and two other partners and closed in January of 2004.