Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Ball's Auditorium
1414 St. John Street
One block from this site stood Ball's Auditorium from 1945 to 1995. Here, Reginald Ball, Sr. operated a trade school to help returning World War II African- American veterans obtain jobs through training in the crafts. By the 1950s, the trade school had largely completed its task and the facility began to be used extensively for community activities, concerts, and paid events. During the 1950s and 1960s, Ball's Auditorium hosted such performers as Otis Redding, Ruth Brown, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and James Brown as a popular venue on what was then called “the Chitlin Circuit." After its heyday, the facility gradually deteriorated with fewer bookings and uses, and what was left was razed.
Erected by Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.
Location. 30° 14.591′ N, 93° 12.26′ W. Marker is in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in Calcasieu Parish. Marker is at the intersection of North Enterprise Boulevard and St. John Street, on the right when traveling north on North Enterprise Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake Charles LA 70601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Goldband Studio (approx. 0.9 miles away); Cantonment Atkinson (approx. 1.2 miles away); Bilbo Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); 44th Air Refueling Squadron (approx. 1.2 miles away); Raymond M. Clausen (approx. 1.2 miles away); Douglas B. Fournet (approx. 1.2 miles away); Michael J. Novasel (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Charles.
More about this marker. Part of the "Lost Landmarks" series.
Also see . . . Lost Landmarks of Lake Charles. (Submitted on April 12, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 986 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 12, 2018.