Fire destroys Kansas City’s Gladstone Hall Theater
KANSAS CITY, MO — A three-alarm fire early Monday, Feb. 28 destroyed the historic Gladstone Hall theater located on St. John Avenue in the city’s Old Northeast neighborhood. The building housed an Islamic mosque.
Firefighters haven’t determined the cause of the fire, and because the building housed a mosque, federal authorities have been asked to investigate.
The roof and interior were completely destroyed, and the outer walls have collapsed. The building is a total loss.
Gladstone Hall was built in 1913 and seated 602. It was built as a live performance theater by John G. Hiatt and designed by architect E.T. Madorie. It was also known as the Gladstone Theater for a number of years, and operated by Fox Midwest from 1930 to 1960.
Photo: Adam Martin