According to Profiles of Mooringsport, a town history prepared for the nation's bicentennial in 1976, a clubhouse was constructed on Lake Street, west of the main part of town, by men from Shreveport. It contained a dining hall and ballroom on the first floor, sleeping accommodations on the second, and was used for various social functions, including dances.
Source: Mooringsport Mini-Museum, by way of North Caddo Parish by Sam Collier (2007)
The earliest found reference to the clubhouse appeared in a 31-Mar-1909 Shreveport Times article about a nearby boating mishap on Caddo Lake. On 23-Apr-1912, it is reported in the Shreveport Caucasian that the clubhouse property has been sold by A. N. Sample to F. A. Gulledge
Shreveport Times 12-May-1912, Page 18
A masquerade ball was put on by the Women's Benefit Association of the Maccabees in February 1919 to observe George Washington's birthday. The site was not disclosed, however the nature of function and size of group attending lends to the likelihood the event was held at the clubhouse.
Shreveport Times 25-Feb-1919, Page 12
Among the attendees at the ball was Grace (Mel) Murray, writer and producer of Belligerent Betty, a silent film shot in Mooringsport and Shreveport.
The Texajazzers were a musical group formed by brothers Charles and Sikes Ballew while students at Austin College, a private school in Sherman, Texas (north of Dallas). They frequently played in the Shreveport area, even performing at the Hotel Youree rooftop garden. They came to Mooringsport at least three times: 20-Jun-1921, 16-Sep-1921, and 06-Mar-1923.
Later vocalist/banjo player Sykes (renamed Smith) Ballew became a popular recording vocalist, orchestra leader, and film actor- and was one of the first "singing cowboys" in the movies. Per Wikipedia:
"He began his singing career on the radio, and in the 1930s became one of the earliest of the singing cowboys on the movie screen. He did a series of musical Westerns for Paramount Pictures and one for 20th Century Fox, continuing in supporting roles until the 1950s."
"Prior to his singing cowboy career, starting in the late 1920s, he became one of the most recognizable vocalists on hundreds of dance band and jazz records, based in New York."
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| Smith Ballew as a Vocalist |
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| Ballew as a Movie Cowboy |
"Ham" Crawford and his "Orchestra of Havana, Cuba" were billed to to perform in Mooringsport on 07-Jan-1922, presumably at the clubhouse, as it was then the popular site for such functions in that community.
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| Ham Crawford 1920 passport photo |
Times 07-Jan-1922, Page 8
Read more about the Dixieland jazz musician ans band leader at this link.
A. C. Waterman, owner of Victory Amusement Company, that operated a salt water public swimming pool in Shreveport; leased the clubhouse in early 1922 and announced plans to hold dances each Friday. The first is featured the Keeth Harmony orchestra of Oklahoma City.
Shreveport Times 05-Apr-1922, Page 2
A dance was held that summer with the Pied Piper Orchestra performing.
There'll Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight! Buddy's Blue Melody Boys, out of Shreveport, played at the Mooringsport Clubhouse on 09-Aug- 1922 and again 20-Aug-1923. The following is a lineup appearing in the paper at that time, and what could be found about each member:
Chester Barnett - Banjo
Mark Davisson - Saxophone
Buddy Keaton - presumed leader
Paul Lankert (later joined the more widely known "Gulf Coast Seven")
Curtis Smith (had own orchestra by 1930)
Arthur "Shocky" Wilcox - Trumpet (played around S'port for many years; previously mentioned appearing at the Caddo Club near Vivian in 1940)
Ancestry.com contributor, linked to Arthur Robert Wilcox (1901-1954)
Lineup is named below. Shoker Wilcox was actually Arthur "Shocky" Wilcox, noted later performing at the Caddo Club in 1940.
A Christmas dance featured the Kansas City Footwarmers.
An earlier advert listed booking details for the group, sans any names of members. However one Clay Center (KS) Times article identified a John Vincent, Jr. as a member. A 1977 article about then retiree Victor Frisch mentions he once played organ for the Footwarmers. Mel Repass, also identified as a Footwarmer, copyrighted several songs with titles including Driftin' Along, I'll Hate Myself In The Morning, and You Gotta Get Rhythm In Your Bones.
The last found mention of the clubhouse was an advertisement for a dance by Buddy's Blue Melody Boys appearing in the Times on 20-Aug-1923. According to Profiles of Mooringsport, the clubhouse was eventually torn down to allow for the building of homes in the area.
Return to North Caddo Music.
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