Ashland Theatre

Tour of Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas Theatres in 2004
From June 26 through July 1, 2004 the Theatre Historical Society of America will tour a number of theatres in Kansas City Missouri and surrounding areas, including theatres in Lamar, Joplin, Richmond, St. Joseph and Springfield, MO, as well as Miami, OK, and these cities in Kansas: Leavenworth, Kansas City, Emporia, El Dorado, Augusta, Wichita, Hutchinson, McPherson, Salina, Concordia, and Topeka. More information is contained on their web site: http://www.HistoricTheatres.org and special photos and information concerning the Kansas City theatres: UPTOWN and the MIDLAND is available on this temporary page of their site at: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/fromarch.html A glossy brochure about this "Heart of America" Conclave is available from the Society's headquarters listed on their homepage, via E-mail to the Ex. Director, or via snail mail. Membership in the Society is not required to attend the Conclave and tour the theatres, but fees do apply as detailed on their site. Bring your camera and lots of film, for it is usually difficult or impossible to enter these theatres for photos, and some of them will surely not be with us in the years to come.

My research in KC on the Ashland showed that it started as an open-air theatre in the 20's, progressed to roadshow vaudeville and then to a covered movie house. It was my neighborhood theatre as a child. I wish I could find a photo of the front, all I have is a photo of the rear stage building that was a storage area. The front had already been torn down. I saw wild animals on stage there once, part of a stage show. It had a main screen with smaller screen/stages on each side of the main. Usually these were curtained, but during the holidays, they held large holiday displays - stand-up figures of Santa Clause, etc.

Provided by Jim Spaw

Hi, I have found a ledger for the original Ashland Theater, it opened in April 1911; I think it also operated an airdome during the summer. And it was destroyed by a dynamite explosion set off by a disgruntled projecitionist in 1922! Then apparently rebuilt, eh? The first manager was Rich Steadman, his wife Anna sold tickets, they ran films, an act or two of vaudeville, amateur shows, and cash prize giveaways. And made money hand over fist. I would love to communicate with folks who can help me find out more info about the Ashland, will share info; I am working on an article about transition-era nickelodeons. Kathy Fuller-Seeley

The American Film review annual for 1936 lists an Ashland theatre at 24th Street & Elmwood, seating 2,000. Wonder how that fits in with the two buildings listed above?