Royal Theatre
115 S. 16th Street,
Unionville,
MO
63565
115 S. 16th Street,
Unionville,
MO
63565
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Commonwealth Amusement Corp., Dickinson Theatres
Functions: Library
Nearby Theaters
The Royal Theatre was opened in 1911 and was relocated to its current location around 1913. Seating was listed at 400. The auditorium was divided into three seating sections with paintings adorning the side walls from ceiling to shoulder level. 0n May 16, 1951 it was destroyed by a fire. It was rebuilt, reopening on September 11, 1951.
The theatre was part of the Dickinson Theatres until 1950 when it became part of the Commonwealth Amusement chain. It was closed mid-March 1977.
After closing it was renovated and is now the Putnam County Library.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
I don’t think this was ever called the Summers. It was owned by a Mr. Summers. The first building was completely different, and quite a bit smaller, at least width-wise. It, along with most of the rest of the block, was destroyed by fire.
The library has a picture of the old Royal ablaze. It was taken from the courthouse roof, and you can see the fire was huge, with smoke and flame pouring out of the roofs of all the buildings along the block. Mr. Summers and fellow businessmen rebuilt the block in 1951. All of these buildings look fairly similar. The library also displays a few seats, a rewinder, and several pictures of the ‘new’ theater.
One final note, the building is not as wide as it appears. The façade on the right is a false front over a one story section.
The Royal Theatre opened in 1911 and was relocated to its current location a couple of years later. It was first operated by Percy Jones and later V.C. Rose Sr. who purchased the theater in 1916 and operated the theater until 1933 when it was taken over by the husband-and-wife team of G.W. Summers.
The large fire on May 16, 1951 destroyed the entire building caused by unknown. It was rebuilt and reopened on September 11, 1951.
The Royal closed for the final time in mid-March 1977.