Pageant Airdome

The Pageant Airdrome was directly across the street from the Pageant Theatre but predated that venue by some three years and under a different opening name. Unlike most airdromes in town that were low-cost and most commonly space holders in land speculation operations, this one opened in the rear of a “permanent” two-floor retail block built in 1911 and opening in 1912. So the building that is in place in the 2020’s is what patrons at the airdome would have seen in 1912 when it opened all the way to 1927 when it closed following the expiry of a 15-year leasing cycle.

Robert McCullough of Queens Amusement Co. spent $3,250 on the Crystal Feature Dome. $3,000 for the Airdome, $100 for the stage and $150 for a storeroom, whose entrance was through 5844 Delmar’s entry (and advertised at 5846 Delmar Boulevard for the 1915 and 1916 seasons with the airdome’s actual footprint unchanged). The Crystal Feature Dome opened seasonally beginning in 1912 and it got a front-row seat for the building of the Pageant Theatre directly across the street that opened in 1915 at 5850 Delmar Boulevard.

The Crystal Feature Dome held that name for five seasons. But Spyros Skouras would purchase the Pageant Theater early in 1917. He then purchased the Crystal Feature Dome just prior to its opening season spending some $1,500 in upgrades. It relaunched on May 20, 1917 as the Crystal Airdome. Its address became 5850 Delmar Boulevard likely to be in alignment with the 5851 Delmar Boulevard Pageant Theatre. The two shared the same features as the Pageant Theatre was a year-round operation. That concept was quickly changed with the two featuring different titles nightly.

For the 1921 season, in November of 1921, City Wide Amusement merged with Skouras Brothers Enterprises officially placing the fresh air Crystal Airdome in St. Louis Amusement Circuit’s portfolio. The Pageant Airdome operated seasonally through 1927. Stories of folks climbing on the roof of the permanent 5850 Delmar Boulevard retail structure to view free Crystal / Pageant Airdome shows were common without incident until a boy was injured from a fall from the rooftop during the 1927 season.

With lease expiring, St. Louis Amusement moved on from the property likely not wanting to think about making a conversion to sound. A modern car wash was built on its spot. Gilspie Auto Laundry opened on what likely would have been the Pageant Airdome’s traditional opening date in May of 1928. Symmetry! And, as noted, the building fronting the airdome is still standing and virtually unchanged.

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