Wareham Theatre
410 Poyntz Avenue,
Manhattan,
KS
66502
410 Poyntz Avenue,
Manhattan,
KS
66502
2 people
favorited this theater
Opened in 1910, Moore’s Opera House included a hotel. It had been renamed Wareham Theatre by 1941. By the late-1940’s it was taken over by Commonwealth Amusement, followed by Dickinson Theatres. Still open, it appears to be a dinner theater. 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 procelien front. Seats are gone and have been replaced with tables, for dinner. This theater was one of the old Commonwealth houses.
Contributed by
Joel Weide
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Recent comments (view all 30 comments)
Hey Hendy, thanks! Was the Edgewood DI was on US 24 at Walters Dr? And the Sky Vue was at the corner of Claffin Rd and Browning Ave?
No, neither location is correct. Both of the areas you reference are on the west and northwest side of Manhattan. The theaters were not located there. The Edgewood was about 2 miles east of Manhattan just north of Rt. 24 near Bob’s Motel (now also gone). The Sky-Vue was on the southwest part of town. The theater was bounded by Rt. 18, Rosencutter Rd., and Stagg Hill Rd. Go to Mapquest and you’ll see the area I’m talking about. The Sky-Vue land was used for a flea/farmers market for awhile, eventually sold and developed.
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?
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.
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
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?
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
CT doesn’t seem to have a listing for the Carlton Theatre described in this two-page 1939 trade article. Does the Carlton still exist?: boxofficemagazine
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
I just learned of this theatre in Manhattan, Kansas known as “the little Apple”. Very nice.