O'Dwyer's Club
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According to Al Kleindienst, a long-time resident of the Greater New Orleans Area, the O'Dwyer family opened a gambling club at 100 Jefferson Highway in 1949 called "O'Dwyer's." The O'Dwyer brothers were well-connected and operated many different clubs for decades. Though gaming was technically illegal, they were established members of the community.
In an interview, Al Kleindienst reflected on his in-laws' visits to the O'Dwyer club:
"It was a way of life in New Orleans. They, my mother-in-law, they never really had a lot of money. He [my father in law] was a lieutenant with the fire department. But once or twice a month [people] would get dressed up and come to Beverly or O'Dwyer or something like that and just enjoy it. Just eating good and gambling a little. And the music... they'd dance and everything. It was just a way of life. It was really nice. But. Like I said... Washington didn't get their share [in taxes], and that was the end of that. So it's a way of life that just stopped going on."
Files
Postcard from O'Dwyer's
This postcard from O'Dwyer's shows images of the interior and exterior of the club and provides its location. The gaming is not shown. From the Collection of Ashton O'Dwyer, Courtesy of Sam Katz.
Back of a Postcard from O'Dwyer's
Advertising themselves as a place to enjoy "an Adventurous New Orleans Evening," with the "Finest of Famous New Orleans Dishes--smart music," this O'Dwyer's postcard served as both memorabilia and advertisement. It does not explicitly mention illegal gaming, but certainly does describe the establishment. From the Collection of Ashton O'Dwyer, Courtesy of Sam Katz.
Newspaper clipping of O’Dwyers.
Source: Courtesy of Ashton O'Dwyer, private collection.
Newspaper article about a police raid at an O'Dwuer family owned gambling club.
Source: State Times Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), February 9, 1929: 1. UNO Microfilm Collection.
Front of O'Dwyer's Business Card
This business card from O'Dwyer's gives the club's address and provides us with a great image of the establishment. From the Collection of Ashton O'Dwyer, Courtesy of Sam Katz.
Back of O'Dwyers Business Card
Describing the club as a "Cocktail Lounge," this business card from the O'Dwyer's was an advertising method for the establishment. Although the gaming was well-known and illegal, it did not force the establishments into total hiding. From the Collection of Ashton O'Dwyer, Courtesy of Sam Katz.
O'Dwyer Matchbooks
These matchbooks from gaming clubs owned by the O'Dwyers are not only a collectors item today, but were an important advertising method while the clubs were in operation. | Source: Al Kleindienst, private collection.
The Rise and Fall of the O’Dwyer Clan’s Gaming Dynasty.
This newspaper article gives a brief description of the O'Dwyer family's involvement with the gaming community. | Source: Courtesy of Ashton O'Dwyer, private collection.