Photograph: The Rose Garden Club as it appeared on the Washington Road in 1946 when it was first opened.
Carola Lillie Hartley
Publisher and Contributing Writer
Most people who have lived some time in Opelousas have heard stories about the old Cedar Lane Club, a famous restaurant and entertainment place during the 1930s to1950s. Much has been written over the years about the old Cedar Lane. But there were other such entertainment places in Opelousas as well. Anyone ever hear of the old Rose Garden Club?
The Rose Garden
The Rose Garden Club was really the place to be in the Opelousas area in the mid 1940s to mid 1950s.
Located on the Washington Road at the intersection of the highway going to Ville Platte and Washington, the club opened on April 21, 1946. At that time, it was owned by Clarence Lafleur, who operated it along with Fred Roberie. The club was opened in a new building constructed at a cost of $25,000.00. It was a nightclub, but it also was a mighty fine restaurant.
Many dances and special events were held at the Rose Garden. The club had its heydays during the late 1940s to early 1950s. Well-known local and area bands were featured as well as nationally known entertainment like Jimmy Newman. Jake Graffagnino and the Doubling Three played at the Rose Garden during that time, and there were many other such groups, making it a popular spot in the Opelousas area. But it seems it was not the same after that time.
During the 1950s, the club changed hands many times and had several different owners. In 1956, it was owned by Percy Daigle and Joseph Soileau, Jr. and was going to be a club for area teenagers. An ad appeared in the Opelousas Daily World on Sunday, September 9, 1956, announcing the Rose Garden Club had a new name — The Teenager’s Club. That it was now a place for teenagers only, and no liquor would be served. That didn’t last long as on Wednesday, September 19, 1956, a new ad appeared and stated the name of the business was again called the Rose Garden Club, and it was no longer a teenage club.
The club had its ups and downs over the years and in October of 1958, the Rose Garden was raided, and illegal slot machines seized by St. Landry Sheriff Cat Doucet and his team. There was even a picture on the top of the fold of the Daily World newspaper two months later showing one of those machines.
Even after the “raid” the club continued to operate for some time until Monday, March 12, 1962 when it burnt to the ground. The building was not insured, and the owner suffered a real loss. A club by that name did open for business later, but it was never the same.
