Juke Joint Collection

A cross roads store, bar, "juke joint, "and gas... in the cotton plantation area, Melrose, La. 1940
A cross roads store, bar, " juke joint, " and gas station in the cotton plantation area, Melrose, Louisiana. [Signs

Migratory laborers outside of a "juke joint"during a slack season, Belle Glade, Fla. 1941
Migratory laborers outside of a " juke joint" during a slack season, Belle Glade, Florida. [Signs advertising Jax ice-cold beer, Royal Crown cola and Coca-Cola]

Living quarters and "juke joint"for migratory workers, a slack season;Belle Glade, Fla. 1941
Living quarters and " juke joint" for migratory workers, a slack season; Belle Glade, Florida. [Signs advertising Jax ice-cold beer, Royal Crown cola and Coca-Cola]

1930 Roadhouse
CIRCA 1930s: Frenchies Bar in the deep south in the 1930s. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

FLORIDA: JUKE JOINT, 1941. A combination store, juke joint and boarding house for migrant workers near Canal Point, Florida. Photograph by Marion Post Wolcott, 1941

JUKE JOINT: DRUMMER, 1939. Drummer at a juke joint in Memphis, Tennessee. Photograph by Marion Post Wolcott, 1939

JITTERBUG DANCERS, 1939. Jitterbug dancers and a police officer in the doorway at a juke joint and in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Photograph by Marion Post Wolcott, 1939

Young African American migrant workers outside a juke joint in Belle Glade, Florida. Photograph, 1941
MIGRANT WORKERS, 1941. Young African American migrant workers outside a juke joint in Belle Glade, Florida. Photograph, 1941

LOUISIANA: JUKE JOINT, 1940. A combination store, bar, gas station and juke joint in Melrose, Louisiana. Photograph by Marion Post Wolcott, 1940

FLORIDA: WORKERS, 1941. Migrant workers lounging outside a juke joint in Belle Glade, Florida. Photograph by Marion Post Wolcott, 1941

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Step back in time to the 1940s, where a vibrant and lively scene unfolds at the crossroads of Melrose, Louisiana. Here stands a humble yet bustling establishment known as the "juke joint. " A combination store, bar, and gas station all rolled into one, it serves as a gathering place for weary travelers passing through the cotton plantation area. In Belle Glade, Florida, another juke joint beckons with its rhythmic melodies and spirited atmosphere. Negro migratory workers find solace here after long days of labor. The juke joint becomes their refuge during slack seasons when work is scarce. Outside its doors, they gather to share stories and laughter while awaiting better times ahead. Living quarters adjoin this haven for migrant workers in Belle Glade. It becomes not only their source of entertainment but also their temporary home during these challenging times. Inside the juke joint's walls lies respite from life's hardships—a place where music fills every corner and troubles momentarily fade away. Traveling further south to Memphis, Tennessee brings us face-to-face with an energetic drummer who sets the rhythm at a local juke joint. His beats reverberate through the air as patrons lose themselves in dance and merriment. Jitterbug dancers swing effortlessly alongside each other under watchful eyes that ensure order prevails even amidst such revelry. The photographs captured by Marion Post Wolcott transport us to these moments frozen in time—snapshots of African American migrant workers finding joy amid adversity outside Florida's juke joints or within Louisiana's multifaceted establishments. These images serve as reminders of resilience and community spirit that thrived even amidst hardship—a testament to how music can unite souls across generations and backgrounds. The juke joints stand as symbols of hope—an escape from daily struggles where individuals could let loose and embrace life's simple pleasures. As we look upon these scenes from decades past, may we remember those who sought solace and camaraderie within the walls of these juke joints.