Listed in 1903 “Succession Sale” of property of deceased: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064005/1903-02-07/ed-1/seq-5/ Better idea of location here: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064005/1902-12-27/ed-1/seq-4/ ...
Dancehalls in Vermilion Parish
Frank’s Amusement Park
Mentioned in “History of Vermilion Parish, La., Vol. 1”: A privately owned and operated park by the bayou on the west side of Abbeville (now Oak Forest subdivision on Eleazar Street). There was a dance pavilion and a bandstand that featured weekly concerts, in addition to a swimming pool, bath houses, alligator pond, and a cage of monkeys. Opened by Mr. Frank DeGraauw, Sr. in the 1920s. ...
French Hall
Newspaper mention of wedding dance from The Meridional, Abbeville, July 8, 1905 http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064005/1905-07-08/ed-1/seq-1/ Newspaper mention of wedding dance from The Meridional, Abbeville, August 6, 1881 http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064005/1881-08-06/ed-1/seq-2/ Newspaper mention: 1904: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064005/1904-11-05/ed-1/seq-5/ : 1905: : 1914: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064057/1914-07-18/ed-1/seq-4/ : 1916: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064057/1916-06-03/ed-1/seq-1/ : 1913: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064057/1913-04-05/ed-1/seq-1/ 1916: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064057/1916-05-13/ed-1/seq-3/ : 1899: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064005/1899-12-09/ed-1/seq-3/ ...
Godard’s Hall
Newspaper mention about dance from The Meridional, Abbeville, July 15, 1905 http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064005/1905-07-15/ed-1/seq-4/ ...
Joe Boutte’s Dancehall
Mentioned in the “History of Vermilion Parish, La. Vol. 2”: December 30, 1882 “The Meridional” newspaper mentions that Boutte, a colored man, opened a saloon and dancing room facing State Street in the old building owned by L. Ourblin. A sizeable crowd gathers there every Sunday “to while time in merriment.” ...
Levy’s Place
Photos courtesy of Emily Ardoin 6309 Albert Road: Included in Emily Ardoin’s 2014 thesis “Fais do-do to ‘Hippy Ti-Yo’: Dance Halls of South Louisiana”: “Levy’s Place is located in a rural area outside Abbeville that featured zydeco and blues. It was opened in the 1930s and closed in 2010. The building is of frame construction, has a front gabled roof, a half round parapet, and has a concrete pier foundation. The dance floor is constructed of wood strips and the ceiling has wood strips and acoustic tile on additions. The bar and dance floor are located in the same room. The exterior is in fair to poor condition. The integrity is excellent. Still furnished. Christmas decorations remain. Closed recently. Owners live on property. Had trail rides.” (Hwy. 338) 7516 Albert Road ...
Mike’s
Included in a 2006 Louisiana Cajun dance hall list compiled by WYNK Cajun DJ “Tee Mick” Abed, sent to me in personal correspondence from David Marcantel From information at the Kaplan Museum: “Mikes: This night club was located north of Abbeville on Highway 167 and near the KROF radio station.” ...
Moore’s Club
Listed in “Readers recall clubs where they danced to Louisiana Music” from The Daily Advertiser, December 29, 1998: “Readers of The Daily Advertiser were asked to submit names of’ the clubs where they danced to Louisiana music in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, with a brief recollection of what the club was like and who played there.” became Club 4- hwy 14, exit charity street- near Economart- dancehall/restaurant/bar ...
Otto’s Bar
known for its card games ...