A Chronicle of The LuigArt's History
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From Humble Beginnings
The LuigART building, dating back to 1850, originally housed Fayette County's first hemp factory. In 1873, Joseph Luigart turned it into the Luigart & Harting Malt Mill for barley malt production. After his death in 1896, the building fell into disrepair.
In August 1937, it was revived as Dixieland Gardens, known as “Kentucky’s smartest Night Club,” serving the African American community. Located beyond Lexington city limits, it was operated by A. C. Harper and others, hosting various events such as athletic contests, charity functions, and dances, and effectively serving as a community center.
In north Lexington, Black and white residents coexisted and ran businesses together, which was quite unusual for the time. Dixieland Gardens, an African American club in this integrated neighborhood, lacks detailed historical information and is not listed among the venues of the Chitlin' Circuit, which featured Black performers during the Jim Crow era. Despite this, the owners promoted it as a premier venue with an elevated bandstand, hardwood maple floors, a full bar, and 100 tables. Between 1937 and 1944, it hosted some of the biggest names in American jazz.
The Grand Opening of Dixieland Gardens was held on October 8, 1937, featuring Andy Kirk and His Orchestra, with Mary Lou Williams on piano and vocals by Pha Terrell and Henry Wells. Kirk, known for his Kansas City sound, became popular during the swing era with recordings for Brunswick and Decca.
Kirk frequently performed at Dixieland Gardens, along with his former bandmate Jimmie Lunceford, who made a guest appearance in December 1937. The club had a segregated section for white patrons, a reflection of the mixed-race neighborhood. Tickets for white attendees were available at Sageser Drug Store, and it soon became a popular spot for University of Kentucky students.
In 1938, Dixieland Gardens saw significant performances, including Stepin Fetchit’s Harlem Hit Parade and shows by Erskine Hawkins and Velma Middleton. Hawkins, a regular at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, shared the stage with Middleton, who would later join Louis Armstrong’s big band in 1942.
Count Basie and the Count Basie Orchestra first performed at Dixieland Gardens on March 24, 1938, returning for a second show in May. In April, the Sunset Royal Entertainers from Florida played, with tickets priced at 50 cents. Chick Webb and His Orchestra debuted in July, featuring Ella Fitzgerald, followed by Walter Barnes and His Chicago Orchestra in October, which included Dolly Hutchinson, the Queen of the Trumpet. Advance tickets were 65 cents, or 75 cents at the door.
In 1939, Louis Armstrong, the “Trumpet King of Swing,” performed in June, and Duke Ellington followed on November 28. However, on April 1, 1939, Dixieland Gardens, Inc. was dissolved, although the exact reasons remain unclear. A.C. Harper continued managing the club, but fewer big-name acts performed due to reduced funding.
Throughout the 1940s, performances continued, including Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy in March, and Erskine Hawkins and His Tuxedo Orchestra in June. The looming prospect of war overshadowed entertainment news, with Ella Fitzgerald returning in 1941, though her shows went unreported in local newspapers.
On February 13, 1943, while Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra played, Boyd B. Lakes fired a rifle into the club, killing 22-year-old Sam B. Coppock Jr. and injuring two others. Lakes claimed he intended to scare the crowd due to frustrations with African American passengers on his bus route. Initially charged with murder, he was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to two years, but served only six months.
By 1945, the golden age of Dixieland Gardens had ended, although it remained open for other events. The last newspaper ad featured Louisville attorney Jesse Moran, who was scheduled to speak at a Democratic rally on October 30. After the 1943 murder of Coppock, musical acts became scarce, possibly damaging the venue's reputation.
Advertisements for musical events listed as “Dixieland” began appearing in newspapers as early as April 1945 and continued sporadically until January 18, 1946, when Ernie Fields and His Orchestra were set to perform. Many acts during this time were familiar performers from Dixieland Gardens, but it is unclear if “Dixieland” referred to the same venue or a new one. Four days before the last performance, a stabbing murder occurred at the “Dixieland dance hall,” likely contributing to its decline.
While the Lyric Theatre on Third Street is remembered for hosting major African American acts in Lexington, Dixieland Gardens was also influential. Renowned jazz musicians like Basie, Fitzgerald, and Armstrong performed there, entertaining both Black and white audiences. The existence of a “Colored Notes” section in local newspapers helped preserve this history.
Sadly, there are no known photographs of the interior or patrons of Dixieland Gardens, and the only exterior photo was taken after Coppock's murder in February 1943. Dixieland Gardens may represent one of Lexington’s finest yet least-known cultural moments.
Special Thanks to Writer Kopana Terry for helping to uncover The LuigArts rich history.