Shenandoah Theatre

St. Louis, MO

2300 South Grand Avenue

, St. Louis, MO 63118 United States

(map)

Status:	Closed/Demolished
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Unknown
Seats:	1072
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Leo F. Abrams, F.A. Duggan
Firm:	Unknown

The Shenandoah opened in 1912 as a legitimate theater on South Grand Avenue. By 1916, it was showing movies along with vaudeville.

The Shenandoah was designed by architect F.A. Duggan. Its ornate exterior was eye- catching and the crystal chandeliers reflected brightly in the lobby.

The theater went to motion pictures later and did very successful runs following move overs from the Fox and St. Louis on North Grand in the Theatre District.

In 1941, the Shenandoah was remodeled in Art Moderne style by architect Leo F. Abrams with a wider screen added. It housed 703 seats on the main floor and 369 seats in the balcony.

As time passed, so did the clientele, and the neighborhood changed. Later went in the double bills and first run b-movies. As the suburban multiplexes came about and population moved to the suburbs the Shenandoah went into a triple feature program with a dollar admission.

This was originally a bright light on the South Grand shopping district but like any light bulb it gradually burns out. The theater was closed in 1977.

It has been demolished and a parking lot is on the site now.

Contributed by Charles Van Bibber

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Theatre opened in 1912 as a legitimate house. Architect was F.A.Duggan. Once affiliated with the Park Theatre on Delmar.

By 1916 films were being shown at the Shenandoah, sometimes with vaudeville added to the mix.

In 1941 the theatre was completely remodeled, a design it sported until closure in 1977. Architect for the redo was Leo F. Abrams.

posted by JAlex on Jul 9, 2004 at 7:22am

Lots of great Kung-Fu films were shown there in the mid-late 70s, I still have one of the newspaper ads I saved from '77 with a roster of "Return of the Dragon", "Karado" and "Deadly China Doll". After it closed we still had the ratty Ritz up the street to see the best of Hong Kong cinema...

posted by Kerry M on Feb 17, 2008 at 11:11pm

Towards the end of its life it was noted for its triple bills and an off duty policeman on duty when the theatre was open.

posted by Chuck1231 on Mar 30, 2009 at 6:59pm

One of the many theatres built and initially operated by O. T. Crawford. The Shenandoah opened May 4, 1912 with a policy of vaudeville, musical comedy and movies.

posted by JAlex on Dec 17, 2009 at 12:59am

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Shenandoah Theatre

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