The State Theater was originally the Victoria Theatre, possibly as early as 1900-1915.
It was still the Victoria Theatre in July 1922, per an Altoona Mirror article about a wedding held there.
It also had the Victoria Pool Hall in the basement.
Two images added of the Victoria Theatre that clearly show it was the same building as the State Theater.
They may have scouted his movements from the roof, but it’s pretty well documented that agents shot him from street level. As he was shot in the back with a bullet exiting his eye.
Grand Theatre Renamed Majestic Theatre in June 1914 Johnson City, TN
An announcement in the June 8, 1914 edition of The Johnson City Staff contained an advertisement proclaiming, “Commencing Today the Grand Renamed The Majestic Theatre."
The ad went on to say, “The Majestic Theatre will Open Its Doors Every Day at 11 a.m. and Run Without Stop until 10:30 p.m. Admission from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 5 Cents Any Seat in the House – From 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., 5 and 10 Cent Seats – Coolest Spot in the City, Best Pictures, Finest Music.”
In that same edition of the newspaper, the theatre’s management defined its future operating policies aimed at attracting new business. The change was initially aimed at ladies who came downtown shopping and wanted to spend time at a good, cool place and have an opportunity to see a first class motion picture at a nominal price of five cents. The modification likewise afforded farmers and their families and anyone coming to the city from nearby towns to likewise have access to a relaxing luxury.
The strategy developed by management was to combine convenience with comfort. Popular playhouses throughout the South, including Atlanta, Augusta, Chattanooga, Asheville and Jacksonville had found this policy to be popular and believed that it would meet with identical approval in Johnson City. In a nutshell, the Majestic wanted to make its theatre a memorable stopover experience for people.
The managing team secured for the public a Lubin masterpiece, “The Lion and the Mouse,” which had proven to be a phenomenal success in all the larger cities of Europe and America and had enjoyed an extended run in New York City. The story centered on an investigation of Standard Oil with the main character being a poorly disguised John D. Rockefeller. The production was billed as “but a foretaste of the really great features that are being booked by the Majestic.”
The administration desired that the people of Johnson City always feel assured that whenever a special feature was announced at the Majestic Theatre that it would be something worthwhile for them to attend.
To contrast the old Grand with the new Majestic, just three weeks prior to the renaming of the theatre, two quality plays were offered. A newspaper ad stated, “The Grand Theatre, Johnson City, Tennessee – The Frank Lea Short Company, Management of Russell Kanney, Presenting “Pomander Walk,” (Matinee) by Louis N. Parker and “Robin Hood and his Merrie Men” (Evening) – Saturday, May 16.
According to the newspaper, “‘Pomander Walk” ran for an entire year at Wallack’s Theatre in New York and was proclaimed to be the most charming play of the generation. The 3-act comedy was said to rout its audience out of the busy day and set them in a dream world. It said, “The sun comes out on Pomander Walk, the sun goes down on Pomander Walk, the moon beams o’er Pomander Walk; the lamp is lighted sentinel-like o’er Pomander Walk. You too are in Pomander Walk, one of its happy dreamers – irresistibly lured to its ingenious dreaminess. It is a delight.”
A description of the other play claimed, “’Robin Hood and His Merrie Men’ had universal appeal of the romantic story of the nobleman outlaw and his band. Robin Hood, Maid Marion, Alan-A-Dale, the valiant High Sheriff of Nottingham, Friar Tuck and King Richard of the Lion Heart himself were placed in a stirring romantic comedy.” It was said to be “alive with laughter and action and thrills and brilliant in pageantry costuming and setting.”
On that June 8 morning of 1914, a new theatre marquee was seen on Main Street, beginning a run that would continue for 67 years. The theatre closed its doors in 1981.
Hey Don.
Below is the link to the Facebook page for David Kroger.
He posted the Rex Theatre photo on the “American Car Nostalgia 1930 – 1979 (All vintage pics)” Facebook page.
He posts a lot of photos, so he may not know the original source.
I did a reverse image search on the photo, and it came up with zero sources.
Via the link at the bottom.
I’ll add the corresponding photo in the Photos Section in case the link goes dead.
This mecca for art house film lovers began life as a Baltimore City Passenger
Railway complex in 1892. Evidence of the Charles Theater’s origins are
prominently displayed on the building’s pediment which is inscribed with the initials “BCPR” in the stonework. Originally the building housed a cable railway powerhouse that generated power for BCPR’s Blue line, which ran along Charles Street from South Street to 25th Street. After cable cars were phased out, it functioned as a car house. United Railways and Electric sold the structure in 1939 and it was later converted to a movie theater and restaurants.-caption by @suzykopf for her research leading up to her exhibition, “Leftovers” at the BSM on May 12th from 1-5. For more images from the archives relating to this project: https://www.baltimorestreetcarmuseum.org/the-last-streetcar-sites/
The Strand was demolished in August 1962, image added credit Altoona Mirror.
The State Theater was originally the Victoria Theatre, possibly as early as 1900-1915. It was still the Victoria Theatre in July 1922, per an Altoona Mirror article about a wedding held there. It also had the Victoria Pool Hall in the basement. Two images added of the Victoria Theatre that clearly show it was the same building as the State Theater.
They may have scouted his movements from the roof, but it’s pretty well documented that agents shot him from street level. As he was shot in the back with a bullet exiting his eye.
Photo credit Alan Weeks.
Via Mike Emery:
Where Bayshore Rd meets up with 41 is where the Drive Inn Theatre is at.
1967 photo added via Titania Tink Sterling.
Early `40s photo added credit Vintage West Virginia Facebook page.
Additional history courtesy of Rhonda Murphy:
Grand Theatre Renamed Majestic Theatre in June 1914 Johnson City, TN
An announcement in the June 8, 1914 edition of The Johnson City Staff contained an advertisement proclaiming, “Commencing Today the Grand Renamed The Majestic Theatre."
The ad went on to say, “The Majestic Theatre will Open Its Doors Every Day at 11 a.m. and Run Without Stop until 10:30 p.m. Admission from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 5 Cents Any Seat in the House – From 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., 5 and 10 Cent Seats – Coolest Spot in the City, Best Pictures, Finest Music.”
In that same edition of the newspaper, the theatre’s management defined its future operating policies aimed at attracting new business. The change was initially aimed at ladies who came downtown shopping and wanted to spend time at a good, cool place and have an opportunity to see a first class motion picture at a nominal price of five cents. The modification likewise afforded farmers and their families and anyone coming to the city from nearby towns to likewise have access to a relaxing luxury.
The strategy developed by management was to combine convenience with comfort. Popular playhouses throughout the South, including Atlanta, Augusta, Chattanooga, Asheville and Jacksonville had found this policy to be popular and believed that it would meet with identical approval in Johnson City. In a nutshell, the Majestic wanted to make its theatre a memorable stopover experience for people.
The managing team secured for the public a Lubin masterpiece, “The Lion and the Mouse,” which had proven to be a phenomenal success in all the larger cities of Europe and America and had enjoyed an extended run in New York City. The story centered on an investigation of Standard Oil with the main character being a poorly disguised John D. Rockefeller. The production was billed as “but a foretaste of the really great features that are being booked by the Majestic.”
The administration desired that the people of Johnson City always feel assured that whenever a special feature was announced at the Majestic Theatre that it would be something worthwhile for them to attend.
To contrast the old Grand with the new Majestic, just three weeks prior to the renaming of the theatre, two quality plays were offered. A newspaper ad stated, “The Grand Theatre, Johnson City, Tennessee – The Frank Lea Short Company, Management of Russell Kanney, Presenting “Pomander Walk,” (Matinee) by Louis N. Parker and “Robin Hood and his Merrie Men” (Evening) – Saturday, May 16.
According to the newspaper, “‘Pomander Walk” ran for an entire year at Wallack’s Theatre in New York and was proclaimed to be the most charming play of the generation. The 3-act comedy was said to rout its audience out of the busy day and set them in a dream world. It said, “The sun comes out on Pomander Walk, the sun goes down on Pomander Walk, the moon beams o’er Pomander Walk; the lamp is lighted sentinel-like o’er Pomander Walk. You too are in Pomander Walk, one of its happy dreamers – irresistibly lured to its ingenious dreaminess. It is a delight.”
A description of the other play claimed, “’Robin Hood and His Merrie Men’ had universal appeal of the romantic story of the nobleman outlaw and his band. Robin Hood, Maid Marion, Alan-A-Dale, the valiant High Sheriff of Nottingham, Friar Tuck and King Richard of the Lion Heart himself were placed in a stirring romantic comedy.” It was said to be “alive with laughter and action and thrills and brilliant in pageantry costuming and setting.”
On that June 8 morning of 1914, a new theatre marquee was seen on Main Street, beginning a run that would continue for 67 years. The theatre closed its doors in 1981.
Hey Don. Below is the link to the Facebook page for David Kroger. He posted the Rex Theatre photo on the “American Car Nostalgia 1930 – 1979 (All vintage pics)” Facebook page. He posts a lot of photos, so he may not know the original source. I did a reverse image search on the photo, and it came up with zero sources.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010439926670&fref=search
1952 photo added via David Kroger.
Via Hugh Hartman: James Pinney lived on the top floor. Three 1908 images added via Hugh Hartman & Theresa McCloud.
1910 photo.
1933 photo credit Barto & Mann Collection. George Mann was later “King Vitamin” on the cereal box.
2016 article that claims 651 seats originally. Also has a Flickr link with interior photos.
https://rvanews.com/news/architecture-richmond-takes-a-look-at-samis-grotto-temple/135047
1919 photo added credit New York Public Library Digital Collection.
“Wanted: A Coward” is a 1927 film.
Via the link at the bottom. I’ll add the corresponding photo in the Photos Section in case the link goes dead.
This mecca for art house film lovers began life as a Baltimore City Passenger Railway complex in 1892. Evidence of the Charles Theater’s origins are prominently displayed on the building’s pediment which is inscribed with the initials “BCPR” in the stonework. Originally the building housed a cable railway powerhouse that generated power for BCPR’s Blue line, which ran along Charles Street from South Street to 25th Street. After cable cars were phased out, it functioned as a car house. United Railways and Electric sold the structure in 1939 and it was later converted to a movie theater and restaurants.-caption by @suzykopf for her research leading up to her exhibition, “Leftovers” at the BSM on May 12th from 1-5. For more images from the archives relating to this project: https://www.baltimorestreetcarmuseum.org/the-last-streetcar-sites/
May 30, 1915 Grand Rapids Herald print ad added via Rich Howell.
7/31/58 photo added credit Springfield Rewind Facebook page.
3 photos added.
4 photos added.
2 images added. Owners were W.T. & Pauline Morgan.
9/7/25 Grand Opening photo and 1939 staff photo via Tom Brissey.
Via Tom Brissey.
Feb. 1939. This is the 14th anniversary of the Rivoli Theatre.
Circa 1926 photo added via Bart Canfield. Demolition photo added credit James Dunlap.