Kings Theatre
818 N. Kingshighway Boulevard,
St. Louis,
MO
63108
818 N. Kingshighway Boulevard,
St. Louis,
MO
63108
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January 21st, 1912 grand opening ad in photo section.
Ah, I see part of the image I referred to got posted as my profile picture. Strange!
The view shown here of the vacant lot next to the six story “FB San Remo Apartments” building is too far north of the Kings Theater and adjacent airdome. The used car dealership farther south is the exact location of the airdome. The low stone wall on the north edge of the dealership is the same stone wall that can be seen on the left side of the airdome in a photo that is on line. The building wall on the right side of the airdome in the photo belongs to the theater building. Note how the roof slopes, consistent with movie theater roofs. The other side of the theater building was just about at Enright. I wish I could post the images that I posted in Facebook’s group, “St. Louis History. Landmarks & Vintage photos.”
When opened in January 1912 the Kings was one of the theatres of O. T. Crawford. After Crawford’s holdings were auctioned off for non-payment of debts in 1915, the theatre had a series of operators including William Goldman, Cella and Tate, Famous Players-Missouri, Loew’s, and the Skouras Brothers. Policies included stock companies, films and vaudeville. The last day the theatre was open in in May 1929, with the structure demolished in 1935.
The address of 818 North Kingshighway is correct. At least it was, as the theatre was demolished in 1935.
According to the comment on July 4, the theater building apart from the airdrome had 1370 seats. Even if the auditorium was demolished, the remaining frontage would be much bigger than what’s there now. The theater has been demolished.
Here is the location as seen on Google maps. The small building is part of a used car lot. I have my doubts if this small structure was ever part of the theater. I think the status is closed/demolished.
http://tinyurl.com/58vkqo