Title:
Russian Rooster was memorable night life hub
Author:
Carol W. Kimball
Subjects:
Russian Rooster, Groton Night Club
Groton's WWII USO Club
Groton's WWII USO Club
Object ID:
Kim10-027
Object Name:
Scrapbook
Category:
8: Communication Artifact
Subcategory:
Documentary Artifact
Publisher:
The Day
Publication Place:
New London, CT
Pubication Date:
03/28/2005
Collection:
Carol W. Kimball
Summary:
The Russian Rooster was probably Groton's first night club. It began life as Marcus L. Trail's barn on his farm east of Trail's Corner before the Johl family acquired the property. In June of 1930 two Connecticut College graduates, Dorothy Henkle and Loretta Murname, converted the barn into a smart supper club featuring Russian and American food and American jazz. Then World War II began and under the leadership of Mrs. James L. Morrisson, for whom Groton's Mary Morrisson School is named, the old Marcus Trails barn was once more remodeled and this time it became a USO club. The doors finally closed January 13, 1945 when rooster lapel pins were presented to local people who had faithfully staffed the center. The old barn is gone but memories live on.
People:
Trail, Marcus L.
Johl, John
Henkle, Dorothy
Murname, Loretta
Frusher, Virginia
Peterson, Bill
Neilan, Harry
Morrisson, James L. (Mrs.)
Johl, Max (Lt.)
Hill, Kay Gremley
Duncklee, Trudy
Santin, Gloria
Bielecki, Betty
Santangelo, Lorraine
Johl, John
Henkle, Dorothy
Murname, Loretta
Frusher, Virginia
Peterson, Bill
Neilan, Harry
Morrisson, James L. (Mrs.)
Johl, Max (Lt.)
Hill, Kay Gremley
Duncklee, Trudy
Santin, Gloria
Bielecki, Betty
Santangelo, Lorraine
Search Terms:
Russian Rooster
Groton night club
Mary Morrisson School
Two Dukes and a Duchess band
World War II
USO Club
Groton night club
Mary Morrisson School
Two Dukes and a Duchess band
World War II
USO Club