Grand Theater
615 SW Jackson Street,
Topeka,
KS
66603
615 SW Jackson Street,
Topeka,
KS
66603
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Multiple sources, including the Boxoffice article Tinseltoes linked to, indicate that the plans for the 1925 rebuilding of the Grand Theatre were prepared by Boller Brothers. Not only was a new facade put on the building, but the interior was gutted and rebuilt, allowing an increase in seating capacity despite the removal of the original gallery.
Only sensoround in the area for Tora, Tora, Tora and Earthquake.
Just ran into a few sets of antique seats pulled from this theatre for sale on ebay. If you are in the Topeka area for pickup the price is very reasonable:
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The end-cap seat standards seem unusual to me, not the heavy high-relief molded iron that are often seen; it seems like maybe a native american inspired art deco design?
There was a fire in the late sixties that probably led to the temporary closure. At that time the theater was owned by Fox Midwest.
Here is a photo of the outside and marquee of the Grand, taken from cjonline.com. Seeing as it is advertising and decorated for the showing of King Kong, Im assuming this pic is from 1933 or so.
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Here is an 1892 print of the Opera House (which is for sale, to be fair):
http://www.printsoldandrare.com/kansas/011ks.jpg
Here is the landmark information:
Grand Opera House (added 1986 – Building – #80001474)
Also known as Grand Theater
Shawnee County – 615 Jackson St., Topeka
(10 acres, 1 building)
Historic Significance: Event
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture, Vacant/Not In Use