Wareham Theatre

410 Poyntz Avenue,
Manhattan, KS 66502

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Commonwealth Amusement Corp., Dickinson Theatres, H.J. Griffith Theaters Inc.

Architects: Carl Boller

Firms: Boller Brothers

Functions: Dinner Theater

Previous Names: Moore's Opera House, Wareham Opera House, Wareham Electric Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Wareham Theatre, Manhattan, Kansas in 1916 - Interior

Moore’s Opera House included a hotel opened on August 17, 1893. It was renamed Wareham Theatre on September 15, 1938. By the late-1940’s it was taken over by Commonwealth Amusement, followed by Dickinson Theatres. Still open, it appears to be a dinner theatre. The building next door with the balconies is the Wareham Hotel which is still open.

Beautiful refinished oak doors and, (it has to be) the original snack bar with its porcelain front. Seats are gone and have been replaced with tables, for dinner.

Contributed by Joel Weide

Recent comments (view all 23 comments)

ronkimball
ronkimball on September 18, 2010 at 12:16 pm

Thanks again, Hendy. I have pinpointed the Sky Vue, but am not sure about the Edgewood. What street/road was the Edgewood on? Perhaps on/near McCall & Kretschmer Dr?

DH27564
DH27564 on September 19, 2010 at 4:42 am

You are getting closer. Just a bit farther to the east on US24 and across the Blue River. The theater was located on the north side of the highway. Using Mapquest, I cannot find any street/road names that would be helpful but what I’m describing is the general area. I Googled Bob’s Motel (right next to the Edgewood) and found an old postcard with a picture of the motel. It describes being next door to a theater but no solid address given.

DH27564
DH27564 on September 19, 2010 at 4:45 am

I just looked at the postcard again and I believe I can make out the Edgewood’s screen tower just above the motel roof and behind the trees. Here is a link to the postcard: View link

ronkimball
ronkimball on September 25, 2010 at 1:48 pm

Thanks yet again, Hendy. How far east of the river was the Edgewood? Do you know what occupies the the former Edgewood & Bob’s properties now?

DH27564
DH27564 on September 26, 2010 at 5:22 am

I’m afraid I’ve reached the limits of my memory. I remember, as a boy and teenager, crossing the river and seeing the drive-in. How far east, I’m not sure but certainly not too far. Venturing a guess, I would say maybe a mile or two at the most east of the river.

I’m not sure what is on the property now but I know Manhattan has expanded somewhat in that direction (more so to the west). I do get back there occasionally and will check it out and post back

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on June 25, 2012 at 1:25 pm

Tinseltoes: The Carlton is not yet listed. CinemaTour gives the address of the Carlton Theatre as 300 S. 4th Street. It is probably the same building that now houses Ady’s Appliance, 302 S. 4th (southwest corner of Pierre Street), though architect Louis Siebers' streamline modern facade has been given a boxy modernization

Patsy
Patsy on January 14, 2013 at 3:15 pm

I just learned of this theatre in Manhattan, Kansas known as “the little Apple”. Very nice.

27564dh
27564dh on September 16, 2013 at 6:22 pm

I found a couple photos of the Wareham Theater I had taken years ago. Uploaded both of them (one twice somehow, sorry). One of the concession stand and the other of the screen area (now removed). They both look much smaller than I remember from working there in the 1970’s.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on December 18, 2019 at 11:54 am

The Oct. 27, 1951 issue of Boxoffice had a two-page story, with pictures, of the Wareham and how it rebounded from terrible flood damage in July that year.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on October 19, 2020 at 11:39 am

The Moore’s Opera House Opened On August 17th, 1893. The Theater Reopened As The Wareham Theatre On September 15, 1938.

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