From an application for the National Registry for Tangier Island
The J. E. Wallace & Co. Store was established by John
Wallace (1855-1926) who came to Tangier in the 1870s. The largest store on the island, according to an old photo, it was a late-nineteenth- or early-twentieth-century, frame, hippedroofedbuilding with a long front porch.
It sold groceries, general merchandise, and coffins as
Wallace was also an undertaker and had a “coffin house” as an adjacent building on the property.
After his father’s retirement in 1921, Sidney S. Wallace opened the Wallacedale Theatre, the island’s first movie house, after constructing a stage, seats, and booths and installing a projector at the western end of the store.
The Wallacedale closed shortly after Wallace’s death in 1936 and it was torn down in the 1940s.
Another theatre known as The Grand located across from the Methodist Church continued to show movies until around 1960; it was demolished shortly thereafter.
There was a Dec 11, 1936 Highland Recorder News Story stating that Mr. Holsinger and mr. Pattee have leased the Highland Theatre and will be known as the New Theatre. Last ad found was dated Jan. 11, 1937
I found ads in the Highland Recorder Newspaper from 1922 to 1931. There were ads up to 1937 for the Blue Grass as a venue for stage shows and community events.
I think that I have put the issue of location to bed.
The first Smithfield Theater – The Jamestown was located in the 100 block of Main Street and closed in April 1931.
In April 1932, Captain Scott opened the Smithfield in a building next to the Delk Department Store located in the 200 Block of Main. He leased the building from Mr. Delk.
In 1937, Jesse Scott, now the owner, purchased the theater building and an adjoining building from Mr. Delk and remodeled the Smithfield into a theater that sat about 60% more.
In May 1940, Pitts-Roth Chain purchased Theatre and in July, the Theatre was remodeled.. Seating of 400 on main floor and 150 in the balcony for the black community.
Added restrooms for both races.
Pitts-Roth owned the Theatre until 1955 when they sold to a local resident, Roy Richardson.
The Jamestown Theater did close in April 1931. It was located in the 100 block of Main Street in the Jamestown Hotel Building.
The Smithfield Theater opened in May 1932 in another building in the 200 block of Main Street.
The Jamestown and the Smithfield did not share a physical location though the Manager of the Smithfield was also the first Manager of the Smithfield.
The Smithfield was built by Captain Scott of Hampton who had operated the Messick Theater in Poquoson, the American in Phoebus, the Rex, The Scott and The Lyric in downtown Hampton.
I talked to the Editor of the local newspaper this a.m. He grew up in Smithfield. The Smithfield Theater did not open next to the Jamestown Theater which was in the 100 block of Main Street. The Smithfield opened next to Delk’s Department Store at 229 Main Street and was open at that location until it closed. Both the Delk building and the Theatre building remain in place being used for office and retail space.
I do not think that it was built next to the Jamestown based on what I have seen on-line. Just my opinion. The Historical Society said that the address was 229 and is now occupied by a lawyer – would think that they would be in the know
November 24, 1982 – Story in Norfolk Journal and Guide a.Fire heavily damaged the Magic Lantern Theater in Suffolk November 18, 1982 b.Fire officials have charged three men with arson in the early morning blaze.
Notes
Note 1: The men arrested were the owners
Note 2: Arson was suspected from the outset due to the fact that the projectors had been removed from the theatre prior to the fire.
The original building was demolished and rebuilt and opened in 1940.
The first Sunday showing at the Palace was June 2, 1940
The Palace played its first X movie, “ILSA”, in January 1976.
The Palace played a lot of Black Exploitation type movies in 1976 and 1977
The last ad for the Palace found appeared in the June 6, 1978 issue of the Daily Press
All of the other Downtown Newport News Theaters – The Warwick, The Paramount and the Downtown – were all playing XXX movies in their last days during the late 70’s
I was able to find ads in the local paper only in 1950 and 1951 other than the 1958 ad about midget races. No information to state that the Drive-In was still operating at that time. Just posted that ad.
Grand Opening was Sept 5, 1914
I have an ad dated Oct 6, 1910
I found access to later additions of the Monterey Recorder Newspaper and found ads into 1986 – with the last ad found dated July 4, 1986
From an application for the National Registry for Tangier Island
The J. E. Wallace & Co. Store was established by John Wallace (1855-1926) who came to Tangier in the 1870s. The largest store on the island, according to an old photo, it was a late-nineteenth- or early-twentieth-century, frame, hippedroofedbuilding with a long front porch.
It sold groceries, general merchandise, and coffins as Wallace was also an undertaker and had a “coffin house” as an adjacent building on the property.
After his father’s retirement in 1921, Sidney S. Wallace opened the Wallacedale Theatre, the island’s first movie house, after constructing a stage, seats, and booths and installing a projector at the western end of the store.
The Wallacedale closed shortly after Wallace’s death in 1936 and it was torn down in the 1940s.
Another theatre known as The Grand located across from the
Methodist Church continued to show movies until around 1960; it was demolished shortly thereafter.
There was a Dec 11, 1936 Highland Recorder News Story stating that Mr. Holsinger and mr. Pattee have leased the Highland Theatre and will be known as the New Theatre. Last ad found was dated Jan. 11, 1937
I just posted a great shot of the Organ that Gladys Lyle played for so many years. A friend sent it to me. What a find.
Grand Opening Ad in Highland Recorder Newspaper dated June 6, 1952 for June 12th opening.
Last ad found was dated Aug 4, 1977
I found ads in the Highland Recorder Newspaper from 1922 to 1931. There were ads up to 1937 for the Blue Grass as a venue for stage shows and community events.
Mr. A. K. Evick opened this Theatre in McDowell after having operated a Theatre under the same name in nearby Monterey.
http://www.dailypress.com/features/history/dp-fea-fort-monroe-theatre-1211-20161210-story.html
I think that I have put the issue of location to bed.
The first Smithfield Theater – The Jamestown was located in the 100 block of Main Street and closed in April 1931.
In April 1932, Captain Scott opened the Smithfield in a building next to the Delk Department Store located in the 200 Block of Main. He leased the building from Mr. Delk.
In 1937, Jesse Scott, now the owner, purchased the theater building and an adjoining building from Mr. Delk and remodeled the Smithfield into a theater that sat about 60% more.
In May 1940, Pitts-Roth Chain purchased Theatre and in July, the Theatre was remodeled.. Seating of 400 on main floor and 150 in the balcony for the black community.
Added restrooms for both races.
Pitts-Roth owned the Theatre until 1955 when they sold to a local resident, Roy Richardson.
The Jamestown Theater did close in April 1931. It was located in the 100 block of Main Street in the Jamestown Hotel Building.
The Smithfield Theater opened in May 1932 in another building in the 200 block of Main Street.
The Jamestown and the Smithfield did not share a physical location though the Manager of the Smithfield was also the first Manager of the Smithfield.
The Smithfield was built by Captain Scott of Hampton who had operated the Messick Theater in Poquoson, the American in Phoebus, the Rex, The Scott and The Lyric in downtown Hampton.
I talked to the Editor of the local newspaper this a.m. He grew up in Smithfield. The Smithfield Theater did not open next to the Jamestown Theater which was in the 100 block of Main Street. The Smithfield opened next to Delk’s Department Store at 229 Main Street and was open at that location until it closed. Both the Delk building and the Theatre building remain in place being used for office and retail space.
Just added two photos of the theater – one with the fire in 1946
I do not think that it was built next to the Jamestown based on what I have seen on-line. Just my opinion. The Historical Society said that the address was 229 and is now occupied by a lawyer – would think that they would be in the know
The local historical society sent me the following message:
The Smithfield theatre was located at 229 Main Street
November 24, 1982 – Story in Norfolk Journal and Guide
a.Fire heavily damaged the Magic Lantern Theater in Suffolk November 18, 1982
b.Fire officials have charged three men with arson in the early morning blaze.
Notes Note 1: The men arrested were the owners Note 2: Arson was suspected from the outset due to the fact that the projectors had been removed from the theatre prior to the fire.
Just posted a Jan 1928 ad in the photo section
Found a story on the naming of the Broadway Theatre in Suffolk dated March 1, 1924. Posted on photo page.
I just posted a news story in the Daily Press Newspaper showing the Oct. 17, 1910 date. Check it out
The two movies shown in the display ads in front of the theatre were released in 1921 per IMDB. Thus fire must have been in 1921 and theatre closed.
per a news article that I just posted, it opened in 1917
Just found an article in a Nov 7, 1938 news article regarding the “Recently Opened Wardley Theatre”. Have posted it on the photo page.
The Palace Theatre opened on November 3, 1917.
The original building was demolished and rebuilt and opened in 1940.
The first Sunday showing at the Palace was June 2, 1940
The Palace played its first X movie, “ILSA”, in January 1976.
The Palace played a lot of Black Exploitation type movies in 1976 and 1977
The last ad for the Palace found appeared in the June 6, 1978 issue of the Daily Press
All of the other Downtown Newport News Theaters – The Warwick, The Paramount and the Downtown – were all playing XXX movies in their last days during the late 70’s
I was able to find ads in the local paper only in 1950 and 1951 other than the 1958 ad about midget races. No information to state that the Drive-In was still operating at that time. Just posted that ad.