Elks Lodge (Club)

Address of the Armory: 1220 West College Street

As was the case of many African American benevolent societies, the E. A. Davis Elks Lodge #1138 of Rutherford County served the Black community as an entertainment promoters. The Elks Lodge was located in an armory building, which could be turned into a concert and dance hall for one-night performances. Admission cost a suggested donation of one dollar and twenty-five cents. During the 1950s and 1960s, patrons of the Elks Lodge could see various rhythm and blues artists, including Gene Allison, Leslie Knight, and Christine Kittrell. Because of its role in promoting African American musicians, the Elks Lodge was one of the most prominent venues to see Black entertainers in the postwar decades.