Original Illinois Club

Dates

• Usage: 1895-

Historical Note

The Original Illinois Club was founded in 1895 by Wiley Knight ( - 1953), a native of Tennessee. Following a brief residency in Chicago, Illinois, Knight came to New Orleans where he organized a school of dance, Knight’s School of Dancing, for men and women of color on Cadiz near Camp Street. The dance class staged its first “Carnival Ball” in 1895 and families of the sons and daughters who participated were the group that formed the Original Illinois Club. The ball was held in the Old Globe Hall, then at St. Peter and Marais Streets with Miss Louise Fortier as the first queen with music by Professor Robichaux’ Band. Since that presentation, the Balls and Debutante Cotillions have been the hallmark of the social calendar during the Mardi Gras season.

Fortier was the first president of the club, with Walter Robinson as treasurer and Charlie Ross as Secretary. Women were members of the club up to ten years after the first ball, but during the time Alex Ross was president, it was decided to not admit any more women as members. Miss Ida Rhodes was the last female member.

The Original Illinois Club is believed to be the oldest African American Club in the world to host both a Ball and Debutante Cotillion

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