Dakota Theatre
4557 Virginia Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63111
4557 Virginia Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63111
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The Dakota Theatre was a small neighborhood house just ten blocks north of it’s sister theatre, the Virginia. The Dakota had a very small lobby with box office on the south side and the entry doors just to the north of the box office. The concession stand was small and located to yur right as you came into the theatre. The theatre had an aisle along each wall of the auditorium and seated 482. The Dakota was more a third run than second run. What the Virginia didn’t play the Dakota did.
Located in Dutch Town in a very densly populated area the theatre had a good draw until television caused its demise. It closed in the spring of 1956.
Contributed by
Charles Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The Dakota (originally the RED WING)was not built by Fred Wehenberg. The same goes for the Virginia.
Great Site!
My grandfather, John G. Zuzack owned the Red Wing Theatre (St. Louis, MO) in 1918 but I have very little information. When did the Red Wing become the Dakota? Apparently, they named the Theatre after the Dakota Indians. In very early Minnesota history, the Dakota Indians had a chief who acquired the name Red Wing. I was wondering if there was a connection between the Minnesota Theatres & the St. Louis Red Wing/Dakota Theatre? Does anyone out there have an old Red Wing Theatre ticket to sell or give away? Any information you can share would be appreciated.
Thank you for your time & efforts,
Joey
I researched the deed & permit records at the St. Louis, MO Court House. Three lots [City Block 2470] were purchased Oct. 26. 1916 at a price of $3,300.00 by my grandfather, John G.Zuzack for the purpuse of building the Red Wing Theatre. The Building Permit #I-7986, showed John Zuzak had permission to build a 1-story brick Picture Show, located at 4557 Virginia Avenue. It was built at a cost of $5,500.00 & the architect was G. Votruba. The Theatre was sold Aug 30, 1919 to Samuel Horwich. The Deed of sale was recorded Sep 2, 1919 at the St. Louis, MO Court House. So it looks like the date 1919 was most likely when the Red Wing Theatre’s name was changed to The Dakota.
Joey
The name change from the Red Wing to the Dakota occurred December 1936. As a movie house, theatre closed in June 1948. Four years later the Southtown Players moved into the theatre for their stage productions and were there until late 1956 when they moved into the nearby Virginia Theatre.