Organization

The Friends of the Victory Grill is a non-profit 501c3 funded solely by the City of Austin, CDC, and private donors. The organization is the managing and fundraising arm of the Historic Victory Grill’s preservation and renovation project. In an effort to bring back to life the legendary history and musical culture of the Victory Grill and surrounding neighborhood, the Friends of the Victory Grill have embarked on a mission to raise money to restore the building to its original structure. The Friends of the Victory Grill will also provide educational and public programming to public schools, universities, patrons and tourists. The curriculum will address the history of jazz and rhythm and blues music, the segregated south, the cultural significance of the “Chitlin Circuit,” and the importance of keeping African American historical places preserved for future generations.

History of Friends

The Friends of the Victory Grill was formed in February 2005, united by a dedication to the historical restoration and preservation project of the original Victory Grill. This landmark African American jazz and blues venue was established in 1945 by east Austinite, Johnny Holmes. Today, the Historic Victory Grill is the last remaining “juke joint” of a once vibrant east Austin African American music scene, and is one of the last remaining, authentic juke joints of the legendary “Chitlin Circuit,” the route of clubs traveled by black entertainers during segregation. Because the Chtilin Circuit was a crucial component of both African American cultural history and the creation of the American sound, the restoration of the Historic Victory Grill is urgent and necessary. The Friends of the Victory Grill have embarked upon bringing back to life the vitality and energy of what was originally an African American establishment in Central Texas where African American soldiers returning from World War II were welcomed. All the local area military bases at that time were segregated, as were restaurants, cafes, bars and places were one could go to enjoy good music and entertainment. Mr. Holmes decided to honor these noble soldiers, and the African American community, by opening the Victory Grill in 1945, so as to offer them a place to celebrate with their comrades. Later, in 1951, Holmes added the Kovak Theater to his short order café, which hosted many local and touring blues and jazz acts. Not only was the Victory Grill a place to dine, it was also a place where legendary local musicians, such as T.D. Bell and Blues Boy Hubbard, and touring acts, such as B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland, performed on a regular basis. The Victory Grill was located where it stands today, at 1104 E.11th Street, just two blocks east of IH-35, the main highway that separated Austin’s east and west sides. Back in the 1940’s and through the 1960’s, African American musicians traveled along the “Chitlin Circuit,” a carefully mapped out area along these major thoroughfares that kept them on roads that were easily accessible and safe from danger and violence due to unjust racial prejudice and segregation. East 11th and 12th street boasted an incredibly vibrant music scene during this time and was a favorite stop for Chitlin Circuit bands. Of all the clubs that once lined these streets, the Victory Grill is the only one that has not disappeared due to the economic distress that plagued the neighborhood after desegregation. In 1996, Eva Lindsey, the Victory’s current proprietor and general manager, succeeded in getting the Victory Grill placed on the United States Department of Interior’s National Registry of Historic Places. In addition, the Historic Victory Grill was donned a Texas Treasure. The Friends of the Victory Grill has since begun working with development professionals to assist in the funding of the many construction projects that will be needed to complete the restoration and renovation project. The goal of the Friends of the Victory Grill is to have the restoration complete by January 1st, 2008.