Terry McDaniel: “I’m from Pine Prarie, which was somehow a dry ward in the 1950s. The Rock Island Line railroad ran south through Turkey Creek, Pine Prairie, Easton, and Barber Spur on down to Mamou. Before anyone could drive, my buddies and I would jump onto south bound train cars and jump off in Mamou. We’d walk over to the Teen Age Center and go to dances. We’d usually just catch a ride back home in a car.” ...
Dancehalls in Evangeline Parish
Twenty Grand Club
Pictured in the October 2014 issue of “Bonnes Nouvelles,” submitted by Richard DesHotels Location and more information unknown ...
Unknown Dance hall
Unknown Dancehall located across from the Evangeline Parish Courthouse on Court Street between 1st South Street West and 2nd South Street West- info from 1938 Ville Platte Sanborn Insurance Map ...
Rainbow Gardens Dancehall
From “Images of America: Ville Platte”, Arcadia Publishing, 2014 by Jean Keisel and Jane Vidrine: “The Rainbow Gardens dancehall stood across the street from the courthouse. It was also known as the fais-do-do. The entrance fee was 25 cents when Octave Fuselier was the proprietor. Only soft drinks were available in the dancehall. Someone who wanted an alcoholic beverage had to leave the dance and go to the saloon, conveniently located in another part of the building…Octave Fuselier owned the Courthouse Saloon and Restaurant, the Rainbow Gardens dancehall, a barbershop, and the Exchange Marketacross the street from the courthouse. The esablishment was open 24 hours a day. In the back room there were card games and slot machines, while a legal “bull pen” met inside the front door of the Rainbow Gardens.” From prairiedesfemmes.blogspot.com: “There used to be a big dance hall across from the Evangeline Parish courthouse in Ville Platte that people called the “Fais-Do-Do” but it was actually called the Rainbow Garden, or more commonly, “Le Hall ‘Tave” because it was owned by Mr. Octave Fuselier.” ...
Rendezvous
1636 W. Main Street: Was originally the Jungle Room- burned down in July 2013: http://www.katc.com/news/weekend-fire-destroys-iconic-ville-platte-restaurant/ ...
Snook’s Bar & Dancehall
Maurice Barzas and the Mamou Playboys Saturday night gig lasted 35 years after WW2, KBON Priscilla Alleman-Saturday night place: Hwy 22: by Teet’s Grocery ...
Social Club
Social Club/Dancehall on west side of W. Railroad Avenue North Avenue (then #109) next to People’s Bank Trust Co.- backed up to the RR tracks- info from 1925 Ville Platte Sanborn Insurance Map ...
Teen-Age Center
From “Images of America: Ville Platte”, Arcadia Publishing, 2014 by Jean Keisel and Jane Vidrine: “The Teen-Age Center opened in the 1950s in Ville Platte’s City Park. Civic clubs got together to erect the building, which had a wooden dance floor and space for tables along the wall. The Center offered food and recreation as well as dances. It also served as a meeting place for civic organizations. After the Teen-age center burned down, it was replaced by the Civic Center.” The inaugural Louisiana Cotton Festival opening Contra-dance was held there in 1964. ...
Unknown Dancehall
Dancehall on east side of Court Street (then 212-219 Court) across from Evangeline Parish Courthouse- had wooden posts- info from 1938-1944 Ville Platte Sanborn Insurance Map ...
Unknown Dancehall
Dancehall on northeast corner of Coreil Street & 1st South Street West (then 132-134 Coreil) info from 1925 Ville Platte Sanborn Insurance Map ...