Gem Theatre
127 N. Main Street,
El Dorado,
KS
67042
127 N. Main Street,
El Dorado,
KS
67042
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Additional Info
Architects: U.G. Charles
Functions: Restaurant
Previous Names: Palace Gem Theatre
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The Palace Gem Theatre was opened on April 19, 1909. In March 1911 it was renamed Gem Theatre. It was renovated in July 1912. The Gem Theatre was relaunched in downtown El Dorado on October 18, 1915. U.G. Charles of Wichita was the architect. The theatre opened with vaudeville but had switched to full-time films before the end of World War I.
The Gem Theatre was purchased by the Capitol Amusement Company of Kansas City along with the El Dorado Theatre and the Palace Theatre in the city’s business district. On August 2, 1923, the circuit shuttered the Gem Theatre and the space was converted to other retail purposes. The Pure Food Grocery and Baker moved into the space on October 11, 1923. In recent years it has become a restaurant.
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dallasmovietheaters
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
The front at least was demolished long ago, and the correct address is 127. The theater first appears on the February 1912 map, in a one story brick building with a tin front. This may have been either the Meze or the Elite, both of which are listed in the 1914-15 AMPD. The building does not appear on the 1905 map. By 1917, it had either been remodeled into or replaced by the Gem. The Gem was quite a bit deeper, but the two story section was only about 20' deep. The theater site is now a Mexican restaurant in a drab one story box. That matches the footprint of the theater from the satellite view. It’s possible it may just be a really bad remodel.
The Palace Gem Theatre opened its doors on April 19, 1909 by manager W.R. Rowell and the Osburn, Daintre & Osborn Circuit company. The building measures 25x100ft and its original drop curtain was painted by J. Westhfer of Kansas City, who also added local merchants all over the outer skirts of the painting. The “Palace Gem Theatre” was renamed simply “Gem Theatre” in March 1911 and received renovation in July 1912.