Oldham Theater - Winchester, TN

Located on the Winchester town square, the Oldham Theater opened in 1950.

Roxy Theater - Franklin, KY

I was fortunate that this classic car happened to drive by while I was here. From the comments I received, it's a 1937 Chevy 2-door sedan, which is perfect for the age of the theater.

The Roxy Theater is a Cinema in Franklin, KY which dates back to 1938. It operated as a theater until the 1960s when it was converted into municipal offices. In the last few years, the theater has been converted back into an event venue.

Luciann Theater - Memphis, TN

The Luciann Theater opened in 1940 and closed in 1958. It is located along Summer Ave. (US64/US70/US79/TN1) in Memphis. Since the original theater closed, it became a bowling alley, a night club, and then an adult movie theater. Despite all of the change, the theater has kept much of its original exterior. I have altered the marquee so that the focus could be on the original elements.

Temple Theater (2017) - Portland, TN

The Temple Theater in Portland, TN has recently undergone renovation. The theater dates back to 1937, but closed in the early 1950s.

You can see more in this Tennesseean article:
www.tennessean.com/story/gallatin/news/2014/01/23/histori...

You can follow their progress here:
www.facebook.com/temple.theatre.portlandtn/

Princess Theater - Decatur, AL

Building dates back to 1887 as a livery stable. Became a silent film playhouse in 1919. Underwent a major face-lift in 1941 with the Art Deco style. It was purchased by the city in 1978 and has become a performing arts venue.

For the full history:
www.princesstheatre.org/about/history.php

The Little Theater - Civil War Hospital Barracks - Fisk University

On a campus full of prominent historic buildings, the oldest one may be under-appreciated. According to the marker:

The Little Theater, circa 1860, is the oldest structure on the Fisk University campus. Erected as part of a Union Army hospital barracks during the Civil War, it was known as the "Railroad Hospital." The interior was remodeled for use as the Fisk campus theater in 1935.

In addition to a Nashville Historic Commission plaque on the front is this:
January 9, 1866
January 1, 1876
This building is one of the original buildings of Fisk University. During the Civil War it was used as a hospital Army barracks
--Class of 1932--

Today, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Fisk University Historic District.

Savannah Theater - Savannah, TN

The historic theater is located on the court square behind the Hardin County Courthouse.

Old Daisy Theater - Beale St., Memphis

Opening in 1913, the Daisy Theater is one of the best remaining examples of nickelodeon architecture from the early cinema era. Located on the famous Beale Street, the landmark has a grand half dome entrance. In 1941, the New Daisy theater opened across the street. The Old Daisy is listed on the National Register of Historic places as part of the Beale Street Historic District.

Would you like to see more photos from Beale street? Check out the Beale Street gallery

Oldham Theater - Winchester, TN

The Oldham Theater is a great looking old-fashioned small town square theater with well-preserved marquee and neon, still living up to it's 1950's grandeur.

Howard Theater - Bruceton, TN

Howard Theater - Bruceton, TN

Operational as a theater from 1940 to 1964.

In the News: Ten in Tenn: Bonnie Kate Theater - Elizabethton, TN

A few days ago, the Tennessee Preservation Trust released their 2015 list of endangered historical sites in the state. This week on the blog, we are talking about some of the properties on this list. Here is how TPT describes the list:
"The Tennessee Preservation Trust’s Ten in Tennessee Endangered Properties List Program is TPT’s strongest advocacy tool for the state’s most endangered historic sites. Each year, TPT seeks nominations for the “Ten in Tenn” from the public from each of Tennessee’s nine Development Districts."

You can also see past entries on their website here:
http://www.tennesseepreservationtrust.org/ten-in-tn/?ref=archive



From the Elizabethton Walking tour brochure (Stop #29)

The Bonnie Kate Theater, another Classical Revival Design, formally opened on May 16, 1926. All 500 of the seats were filled and the audience enjoyed the showing of a silent film. A local music program "Barrels of Fun" originated here in the 1930s and in the 1940s was broadcast by two radio stations (one next door) to a listening audience of 3.2 million people in the southeast area. This was the first theater East of the Mississippi to have rocking chair seating (1969).

From TPT:

The Bonnie Kate Theater from 1926 is the last surviving movie house in Elizabethton and both part of the local Elizabethton Historic District and the National Register Historic District. It embodies
the distinctive architectural characteristics of theaters built during the 1920s and fully sat houses up to 500. Unchecked roof deterioration has led to multiple leaks and subsequent water damage. Despite strong community and local government interest to save the building, no action has been taken by the building owners to make necessary repairs or correct the damage caused by the leaks.

For more, see this WCYB news report.

Princess Theater - Hopkinsville, KY

Seen in downtown Hopkinsville along US41/68.

Ritz Theater Sign and Marquee - Sheffield, AL

The Ritz Theater dates back to 1927 back as a silent movie theater. It was redesigned in an Art Deco theme in the 1930 to accommodate films with sound.

In 1985, the theater was purchased by the Tennessee Valley Art Association who restored the theater back to its Art Deco look. The neon sign is a replica of the original and was added in 2009.

Capitol Theater - Union City, TN

The Capitol Theater opened in 1927 in the central business district in Union City. As on 1999, the Theater is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1994, the theater was used for live action productions under the name Masquerade Theater. The Marquee can still light up at night.

New Daisy Theatre - Beale St. - Memphis

According to Wikipedia:
The New Daisy was originally conceived as a movie theatre, and operated as such until the late 70’s. In the 80’s , the venue was renovated to house concerts with a capacity of over 1000 and became one of the preeminent venues of it’s kind in the US.

The venue has featured artists such as John Lee Hooker, Gatemouth Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Al Green, Sam and Dave, Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nirvana, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, The Cult, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Jack White, Dave Matthews and Oasis, among others.

Bob Dylan used the venue to record a video of a song from his Grammy-winning CD Time Out of Mind.

Would you like to see more photos from Beale street? Check out the Beale Street gallery

Capitol Cinemas - Princeton, KY

Located along Main St. in Princeton along US62.

State Line Drive in Theater sign - Elizabethton, TN

Elizabethton, TN
Along highway US19E/321
By my best guess, it's about 15 miles from the TN/NC state line

Lincoln Theater - Fayetteville, TN

for this older theater on a small town square, it's good to see a large crowd on this evening.

Built in 1951. Fayetteville is in Lincoln County, which is named after Revolutionary War General Benjamin Lincoln.

Oldham Theater - Winchester, TN

The Oldham Theater is a great looking old-fashioned small town square theater with well-preserved marquee and neon, still living up to it's 1950's grandeur.

Strand Theater - Tiptonville, TN

Located along Main Street (TN21), the Strand was a longtime fixture in the the community and after a few decades of being closed, it has recently reopened.

The theater originally opened in 1915 and could seat 521. The theater closed in the mid 60s where the theater was used as a Masonic hall for four decades. In 2009, after being refurbished, the theater is open again. Here is an article from the local newspaper about the reopening:
www.stategazette.com/story/1589210.html