| Louisiana Division/City Archives | New Orleans Public Library |
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| ARRALINE BROOKS
Arraline Brooks was a native of England. By the mid-1830s she was in New York City, dancing at the National, Olympic, Park, and other theaters. She appeared with Fanny Elssler during her American tour (1840-1841) and later performed regularly in New Orleans. In 1845 she retired and began teaching dance in the Crescent City. |
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In 1846, Mrs. Brooks leased the Washington Battalion Armory on Camp Street for her dance studio, balls that she sponsored, and other events. She operated at this location for about three years, later moving to Odd Fellows Hall and other venues around town. Her New Orleans season was limited to the winter months; during other parts of the year she gave lessons in such cities as Louisville, Kentucky and Natchez, Mississippi.
(William Florance vs Mrs. Arraline Brooks and her husband. Orleans Parish Fifth District Court, #2400) |
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The Washington Battalion Armory was probably better known as Armory Hall. It stood on Camp Street across from Natchez Street until its demolition in 1881. During demolition, workers found the building’s original cornerstone, identifying it as the Camp Street Theatre (also known as the American Theatre) opened by James H. Caldwell in 1822.
(Gibson’s Guide and Directory of the State of Louisiana and the Cities of New Orleans & Lafayette, 1838) |
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In 1849 Mrs. Brooks and William Florance, her landlord, had a falling out. He accused her of not paying the rent on time; she argued that the building was in poor condition, causing her to lose business and requiring her to spend her own money on needed repairs. Through a court order, Florance forced the sale of Mrs. Brooks’ furnishings in the hall, including portraits of several historical figures.
(William Florance vs Mrs. Arraline Brooks and her husband. Orleans Parish Fifth District Court, #2400) |
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In addition to her dance lessons, Mrs. Brooks also sponsored balls, both for children and adults, at the Armory Hall and elsewhere in the city. She even put on Mardi Gras balls, as evidenced by this notice.
(Daily Picayune, February 12, 1850) |
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Madame Brooks apparently left New Orleans sometime after 1855. She owned property in Lavaca County, Texas, and was back in New York City in 1871. She died there in 1879 at the age of 65. A death notice in a Springfield, Massachusetts newspaper (which gives her age as 70) notes that she was “well known in Ellsler’s time as Mlle Arraline, the danseuse.” Arraline Brooks is commemorated on the sheet music for one of the dances that she taught to her students.
(Courtesy Louisiana Sheet Music Collection, Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University) |