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 left, stoodÉSabine Club.” ...
Dancehalls in Calcasieu Parish
Shady Rest
From “Scars of Paradise: The Life and Times of Janis Joplin” by Alice Echols: Shady Rest was a “raunchy” state line bar that was frequented by Janis Joplin and her group of guy friends-“good girls” didn’t go there. The bar was attached to the Shady Rest Motel, which is currently slated to be converted into a Vietnam veteran retreat called City of Refuge when funds can be raised. If interested in assisting, please contact Jerry Gatch, Commander, Stark Õ64 Veterans Association, 5 Circle D, Orange, TX 77630, (409)-920-4601, or gatchergatch@gmail.com ...
Showboat
From http://www.orangeleader.com: “The most unique of all the clubs was the Showboat. It was an actual paddlewheel riverboat that had seen service in the Memphis, Tennessee area of the Mississippi. The ÒHarry LeeÓ was brought to Orange and docked on the left side of the highway in the ditch left from the dredging. The boat consisted of three decks, was 200 feet long and 43 feet wide. Over the years it would gain a reputation as being the roughest of the clubs. There was drinking, some prostitution, and much gambling at the Showboat. The owners wanted gamblers, but wanted them to lose. If a winner tried to leave the boat, he was usually faced by some employees who tried to intimidate him into staying until he had lost his winnings plus everything he had gone into the club with. There were a lot of fights, stabbings, some shootings and even a murder or two. The Showboat became known as a ‘bucket of blood.’ R. F. ÒBobÓ Bass was Chief of Police in Orange from December, 1942 until August, 1946. In those years he would occasionally be called about a problem. Even though he had no jurisdiction, he would go. In an interview his son, Harley, related that his dad once went to the Showboat to see about a body floating in the water. When the body was pulled out of the water and Chief Bass rolled him over, he found two bullet holes in his back. It was reported that when the water was clear enough to see the bottom from the gangway that went from shore to the boatÕs deck, that one could see literally hundreds of billfolds. It was not unusual for someone to be knocked in the head, have his billfold taken and emptied and the bill fold thrown in the water. Under somewhat strange circumstances the Harry Lee burned to the waterline. Fire trucks from Orange drove across the bridge to the burning boat but were unable to control the fire. The boat burned to the waterline. A smaller boat similar to the Harry Lee was brought in by barge and docked where the Harry Lee had been and business resumed as usual.” ...
Silvin 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, stoodÉSilvin Club…” ...
Stompin’ Henry’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…Mud Lake. Just past Mud Lake, on the right, stoodÉStompinÕ HenryÕs.” ...
Texas Pelican Club
From http://www.texasfreeway.com: “On past Cemetery Road, as years passed, were built the Pelican ClubÉ” Johnny Allan played there several times from 1985-1987. ...
Night Owl
From http://www.texasfreeway.com: “On the left side of the road, between the river and the mile-long bridge, É(was)… the Night OwlÉ” ...
Delta Club
Bar/club that featured a cock fighting areana in the back room. Losers used to make dinner. ...
Big Oaks Club
owner- Hebert- post card- Johnnie Allan played there in 1955-57- Boogie Kings on weekends: also known as The Oaks or Twin Oaks ...
New Palomino Club
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 ...