Ritz Theatre
117 N. Commerce Street,
Natchez,
MS
39120
117 N. Commerce Street,
Natchez,
MS
39120
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The Ritz Theatre opened in 1935 and closed around 1986.
It has since stood empty and unused.
Contributed by
Van Thournout
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
Here is a photo that shows a little more of the former Ritz Theater.
If you would like me to start linking to Fastcase and the UCLA library photos, let me know.
In watching for blogs about Natchez I came across your bit about the Ritz Theatre. The theatre is being renovated, and the facade is looking quite a bit better now. I took some shots of it today, one of which is on our NatchezMS.com website at http://www.natchezms.com/img/ritztheatre.jpg
The damage to the roof actually started quite a while before the ‘98 tornado (sorry, the “weather service” called it a “straight-line wind.”)
The Ritz was operated by Paramount Theatres until sometime in the 1960’s and then by Gulf States Theatres.
I went around to the back of the Ritz building awhile back and am sad to report that there is no roof on it and nothing is left between the walls. (There is not even a floor as best I could see when looking through the cracks in the fence surrounding the building.) I understand that the location will never be a theatre again but that it’s possible that a restaurant could be build there from the ground up while keeping what’s left of the restored facade intact. Here’s hoping for at least that with help & thanks donations and the assistance of The Historic Natchez Foundation.
The Ritz was located on N. Commerce the Second Building on the odd side of the street at Franklin Ave.
The address for the Ritz:
117 N. Commerce St.
Natchez, MS. 39120
To Chuck 1231. It is still there at this location you mention. Well, the front and the shell of the building
is, anyway!
I was able to enter through the back a little way in this past April and waynebeau23 is correct: the floor had apparently fallen through to the basement area and the roof is long gone. Though some have stated that the theatre operated into the 70s or even 80s, the last trace of it in papers or phone books are 1968, closing shortly before the Baker Grand in downtown Natchez and leaving the Clarke the only downtowner til its 1980 closing.
I agree with FredSliman on the closing date. I worked for Gulf States Theatres in the 70’s, which operated the Clarke Theatre. During the early 70’s only the Clarke and Trace Town Twin (Why is that theatre not listed) were operating in the town. The Ritz was gone by 1971.
Aerial shot shows the back part of the roof gone. Sad.. ..
Randy A Carlisle Historical Photographer
Here’s a photo I took back in April of 2010.. Enjoy!
RAC Photography