Dakota Theatre
4557 Virginia Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63111
4557 Virginia Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63111
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John Zuzack built the Red Wing Theatre in 1915 opening in 1916. The neighboring Red Wing confectionery at 4555 Virginia was its de facto concession stand. The Red Wing’s name was clipped when Harry Greenman of Greenman Theaters bought the venue along with the Yale Theater late in 1936. He reopened the former Red Wing on Christmas Day as the Dakota Theatre with “The Littlest Rebel” and “China Clipper.” He would soon sell it to Franchon & Marco.
Movies were discontinued at the Dakota on June 13, 1948 with “Road to Rio” and “Adventure Island.” The Southtown Players took it on as their theatrical home next staging live fare. The rent was just $16.75 a month. They took their act to the Virginia Theater in 1957 ending the Dakota’s run.
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.
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
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
The Dakota (originally the RED WING)was not built by Fred Wehenberg. The same goes for the Virginia.