Dancehalls in Calcasieu Parish

Flamingo Club

From www.orangeleader.com: “On the right side of the road (was)…the Flamingo Club…(this club) had gambling as the major attraction, along with dinner and dancing. They rated along with BusterÕs. They were by all accounts honest gambling clubs without the strong arm tactics of the Showboat.” ...

Felix DeMary’s Dinner Club

Possibly also known as the Border Cafe: From http://www.texasfreeway.com: “one of the last clubs to close after the sudden enforcement of Louisiana gambling laws in the 1950s and the opening of the Interstate Highway 10 bridge in 1960 spelled doom to Highway 90 business – (it) was the first place on the right after Southeast Texans crossed the Sabine River bridge in those early days, and a favorite with Orange countians. Next door to it was the popular Flamingo Club.” From www.orangeleader.com: “On the right side of the road were Felix DeMary’s Dinner Club…(this club) had gambling as the major attraction, along with dinner and dancing. They rated along with Buster’s. They were by all accounts honest gambling clubs without the strong arm tactics of the Showboat.” ...

E.J.’s Club

From http://www.texasfreeway.com: “On the right side of the road as Texans exited the east end of the mile-long bridge stood…Mud Lake. Just past Mud Lake, on the right, stood E.J.’s Club…” ...

Crystal Palace

Rena L. Bertrand: From http://www.texasfreeway.com: “On the right side of the road as Texans exited the east end of the mile-long bridge stood the Crystal Palace, followed by, on the banks of Mud Lake, Pete AucionÕs.” ...

Buster’s Night Club

From http://www.texasfreeway.com: “On the left side of the road, between the river and the mile-long bridge, (…was…) Buster’s Night Club/East Orange, La. (It) was established by M.J. ‘Buster’ Johnson in the early ’30s, and billed as ‘The Spot You Should Not Miss.’ Johnson is said to have booked popular bands into his night spot regularly including, for a one-night stand, Guy Lombardo. (Later, Buster’s 2 was opened at the end of Cemetery Road, off Highway 90, where the Louisiana travel center now stands.)” From www.orangeleader.com: “Buster’s Night Club was one of the nicer clubs. Johnson demanded that his customers treat each other with respect. He allowed no cursing in his club and would throw out anyone who violated his rules…Johnson always wore a coat and tie. ‘If you want to run a nice club, you have to look nice. I always wear a nice suit. I treat my customers nice until they get out of line,’ said Johnson in an interview.” In the mid to late 1960s, it was known as a “raunchy” state line bar that was frequented by Janis Joplin and her group of guy friends- “good girls” didn’t go there. ...

Buster’s 2

From http://www.texasfreeway.com: “(It) was established by M.J. ‘Buster’ Johnson. Later, Buster’s 2 was opened at the end of Cemetery Road, off Highway 90, where the Louisiana travel center now stands.” ...

Palamino Club

From http://www.texasfreeway.com: “On past Cemetery Road, as years passed, w(as) built the Palamino ClubÉ” ...

Pete Aucion’s

From http://www.texasfreeway.com: “On the right side of the road as Texans exited the east end of the mile-long bridge stood the Crystal Palace, followed by, on the banks of Mud Lake, Pete AucionÕs.” ...

Rainbow Club

From Louisiana Dancehalls FaceBook page- Jerry L. Moody:  “(I)n the early to mid 50’s we lived behind the old Rainbow Club that was on the old Orange Hwy. My mom and dad worked there, dad was a bartender and bouncer, and mom a waitress. This club was west of the Circle Club in Vinton. The old Hwy 90 went to Orange, Texas near the Navy ship yard. The bridge was an old two lane wooden bridge it was as narrow as the Port Arthur bridge and even more scary.” “One time Mr. Miller, he owned the club, locked his keys inside so he paid me 50 cents if I could crawl through the box fan and pass through a hole in the side to go get his keys. It was dark and the only lights were the beer and whiskey signs. I ran as fast as i could found the keys and made a bee line to the front door. I was about 6 years old.” From Facebook comments: Darla G. Morton:  “My step dad owned (the Rainbow Club). His name was Tiny Richardson. He also had Club 88 on a highway near there. I was too young but I think it was on Highway 88.” From http://www.texasfreeway.com:  “On the right side of the road as Texans exited the east end of the mile-long bridge stood the Crystal Palace, followed by, on the banks of Mud Lake, Pete Aucion’s. Just past Mud Lake, on the left, stood…Rainbow Club.” Photo courtesy of Jerry L. Moody: Description: “Lee Pruit is the man with the white shirt and my mom is behind him This picture was taken in 1955.” ...