After World War II, Milwaukee’s Black population resumed moving to the West Walnut Street neighborhood called Bronzeville. The street evolved into a thriving economic center. The Harlem record store, Regal movie theater, physician J.W. Terry’s office, and politician Isaac “Ike” Coggs’ campaign headquarters were familiar establishments along Walnut.
Police and politicians denounced black-owned businesses as chicken shacks and jig joints. But newspapers increasingly acknowledged the new retail and grocery stores, dental and medical offices, and encouraging teens to finish high school, and in some cases, attend college.
As dusk approached, Bronzeville’s sidewalks dissolved into a neon landscape populated with the Savoy tavern, Moon Glow and La Conga night spots. The music from popular jazz and dance bands drifted outside where it was enjoyed by people in the street. The impromptu gatherings made the clubs easy targets for the vice squad who arrested arrest prostitutes. strippers, pimps and gamblers. There were no laws against interracial socializing, but they were caught in the dragnet as well. The “black and tan” clubs were safe havens for mixed race couples and LGBTQ patrons. During a late-night raid at the Melody Club, nearly 200 white people were pushed out the back door as police arrested owners, entertainers and bartenders. Tillie, an exotic dancer who kept her pet ocelot on stage, was taken into custody along with elderly bootblack Edward Moore.
Irresistible Music
Autographed photo of Satin Doll…