The Autocrat Social and Pleasure Club
The Autocrat Social & Pleasure Club has long been a landmark building in 7th Ward of New Orleans. Located at 1725 Saint Bernard Avenue since 1924, it served as a site for social entertainment during a period when few places were available to people of color. While browsing through The Louisiana Weekly, I came across images of several women’s social clubs that held their annual dances at the Autocrat from the 1930s through 1950s. The images may not be as clear as I would like, but hopefully they will bring back memories to many of our readers. So much more still needs to be done on this cultural symbol.
The C.M.C.C. Club
(May 1938)
The club is composed of members of the younger set from the New Orleans’ Carrollton area. Their annual dance was an invitational affair held following the Lenten season.
Seated: Left to Right: Yvonne Wilson, Laurine Kennedy, Bernice Heath, Helen Jefferion and Oletha Thomas.
Standing: Left to Right: Grace Heath, Eva Trouillier, Audrey Soniat, Yolande Sarpy, Dorothy Brook, Rita Richard and Cecilia Morris.
The A.T. C. Club
(January 1938)
Sitting: Left to Right: Patricia Collins, Noella Felton, Bernadine Wiltz and Veronica Populus.
Standing: Left to right: Marie Valteau, Oralie Walker, Eloise Blandin, Eugenia Borel and Ethelmae Sherrod.
The Tally Bridge Club
(November 19, 1948)
Music was rendered by Herbert Leary and His Society Syncopators. Upon entering the hall each lady guest was presented with a souvenir – miniature oil lamp. A waltz was staged for the club members and their guests. 
Standing: Left to Right: Jessie Lee Wells, Fredrica Beckham, Irma Braden, Olga Ferrier, Edna Walker, Edna Duhe, Marion Jones, Theresa Vappie and Wanda Mosley.
The “Smarties” Club
(November 1949)
The Smarties was an all-female group that arrived with escorts. Their annual barn dance was held at the Autocrat Hall and the Joe Phillips’ Orchestra furnished the music. Each member wore a green and yellow gingham dress designed with yellow organdy aprons and tiny matching bows at the neckline. Each carried a pail containing candy suckers which were given to the guests upon entering. The hall was decorated with shovels, other gardening tools, a scarecrow, and stuffed animal dolls. Wellington Dowden, master of ceremonies, introduced club members and their escorts.
Club members: (not in order) Jessie Mae Arceneaux, (president); Edna Jourdan, (vice-president); Agnes Arceneaux, (secretary); Louise Bibolet, (treasurer); Jeanne Dowden, Julia Meteau, Durelli Watts and Marie Wright.
The Gay Twenties
(September 13, 1958)
In 1958, the twelve members shown below held their 6th Anniversary Dance in the Autocrat Ballroom. 
Standing: Left to right: Lynn Guimont, Barbara Moore, (vice-president); Betty Cates, Mardelle Delahoussaye, Lois Augustine, (business manager); Myralin LaCabe, (president); Brenda Butler, (business manager); Shirley Ahmed, (secretary); Germaine Chenier, (treasurer); Shirley Tircuit, and Barbara Manual. Sylvia Rousseau was not present due to illness in her family.
Sources: The Louisiana Weekly, January 29, 1938 page 3; May 7, 1938; December 4, 1948 page 13; November 26, 1949 page 4; October, 1958.
Lolita Villavasso Cherrie
I loved seeing the picture of the Autocrat Club Building. My father, Wilfred Alexis and his friend, Mr. Collier had a barber shop at the left corner of the building.
I have that photo of the Tally Bridge Club. My mother Edna Duhe’ is in the photo. At the time I was six years old. I knew all those ladies.
In 1959 St Mary’s Academy held their Debutante ball at the Autocrat. I have photos from that night.
A lot of clubs held dances at the Autocrat Club. It brings back all kinds of memories.
Love this! Any info on a club called The Gardenias or Camelias?
I love seeing these photos… I recognize two of my beautiful cousins, Oralie Walker and Edna Walker.
My aunt took me there once when I visited from California. She was always talking about the Autocrat. Love you, Etta Mae Gaston.
I knew Oralie Walker well when she and her family lived in Houston in the early seventies. I also knew Bonnie and Kintennel, her daughters.
Thank you for these photos. I had not seen a picture of my father’s youngest sister and my Aunt Marie Valteau Neveu (member of the ATC) at this age before and was able to share with two of her children. Thank you for the work you do.
My Mother is Jessie Mae Arecneaux and Father Emile Joseph Labat is in the photo The “Smarties” Club, November 1949. We had lots of gathering at the Autocrat Club growing up. I miss the neighborhood, our family was very involved and loved being a part of it.
Very nice article! Love the photos!
I recently found a photo of my grandparents, my mother and cousin at Autocrat Club “The Smarties” dances. Happy to share.
My father was a member of the Autocratic Club, Joseph George.
Thanks for these photos and info. My mom, Shirley Ahmed was in the Gay Twenties. We had this photo for years at home, until it was lost in Katrina. I’ll share this with her.
The tradition of the social clubs migrated to Southern California, too, when so many Louisianans relocated there after WWII. My mother Elizabeth Norwood LaCour and my father Joseph LaCour and many of their friends and relatives were in SoCal clubs called Les Dames Amis and The Conquistadors.