Orpheum Theatre

501 Edmund Street,
St. Joseph, MO 64501

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Dubinsky Brothers, Durwood Theatres Inc., Saxe Amusement Enterprises

Architects: Carl Boller, Robert O. Boller

Firms: Boller Brothers

Nearby Theaters

Orpheum brought down on15May1958

The grand old Orpheum Theatre in St. Joseph, MO. was the kind of downtown theatre we all miss. It was built in 1912 and operated by Saxe Amusements. On January 23, 1933 it was severely damaged in a fire. It was rebuilt and reopened by Dubinsky Brothers on October 14, 1933. It was later operated by Durwood Theatres Inc. and showed "The African Queen" proudly. It was closed on 11th May 1957 and was demolished in 1958 to make way for a bank parking lot.

Contributed by MikeRogers

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois on November 27, 2010 at 6:52 am

ARCHITECT: BOLLER BROTHERS

Was on the Northeast corner of Edmund and 5th.

Opened 1924

Durwood Theaters of Kansas City, Mo., Stanley H. Durwood, President, had over 20 theaters in Kansas and Missouri.

Can always use more info and more photos.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 28, 2011 at 11:20 am

This house opened as Saxe’s Orpheum Theatre. It was featured in the February 24, 1912, issue of The Moving Picture World. The article said that prior to its conversion into a movie theater the building had housed a beer garden operated by the Schlitz company. The theater opened on December 15, 1911.

Tp
Tp on December 11, 2011 at 4:36 pm

Last date opened Saturday 11May1957. On Friday 4April 1958 the Orpheum Theater was sold the article in the paper said it will not be used as a Theater again. it was scene of half-century of stage productions,silent movies + talking movies. The Orpheum was gutted by fire on Jan23 1933 and was rebuilt and reopened in October same year. The Orpheum was raised on Thursday 15May1958 according to an add in the St Joe Newspress taken out by a local bank at the time.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on August 11, 2012 at 2:31 pm

An old postcard view of the Orpheum: View link

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on April 25, 2014 at 5:47 pm

The January 24, 1933, issue of The Film Daily ran this report of a fire at the Rialto Theatre:

“ST. JOSEPH HOUSE BURNED

“St. Joseph, Mo. — Nate Block’s Orpheum, operated by O. G. Amusement, was destroyed by fire yesterday with loss estimated at $50,000. Police are investigating. The house was picketed several months ago, due to trouble with operators.”

The March 30 issue reported that the theater would be rebuilt:
“REBUILDING ST. JOSEPH HOUSE

“St. Joseph, Mo. — The Orpheum, destroyed by fire recently, will be rebuilt into a 1,200-seat house. Nate Block is the owner.”

According to St. Joseph Memory Lane, the rebuilt Orpheum reopened on October 14, 1933. The Orpheum was sold in 1958 to Mechanics Bank, which had the building demolished to make way for a parking lot.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on October 17, 2014 at 11:12 am

The beautiful Saxes Orpheum Theater was once one of the gems of downtown. It was built in 1912 on the site where the Schlitz Cafe and a lot used for sideshows once stood, The theater was brightly lit at night. The Orpheum Theater was located on the northeast corner of 5th & Edmond. On January 23, 1933 a $35,000 fire severely damaged the theater along with St Joseph Shoe Repair, 505 Edmond, which also shared the structure. The fire was believed to have been vandalism by disgruntled employees. The theater was rebuilt and reopened in October 1933 The new theater was not as extravagant as the original theater. On April 4, 1958, the theater was sold to the Mechanics Bank. On May 15, 1958, it was announced that the theater would be razed. The building is now gone and is currently a parking lot.

rivest266
rivest266 on September 10, 2020 at 1:32 am

This opened on December 14th, 1911. Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on September 10, 2020 at 12:20 pm

Reopened by Dubinsky Brothers on October 14th, 1933. Grand opening ad posted.

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