Dixie Theatre

Perry Doddridge built the new Doddridge Bank Building in 1883 at the corner of N. Chaparral Street and Lawrence Street. It was a bustling corner just across from the Saint James Hotel and Saloon that was built in 1869. Originally, the Doddridge Building housed both the Doddridge Bank and the Brooks Brothers Pharmacy. But in 1891, the Bank went into receivership and sat locked up until 1894 with Doddridge trying to make good on each depositors money at 62.5 cents on the dollar. For making such efforts, Doddridge remained well-respected to his death in 1902. A new bank took the former Doddridge spot there in 1902.

In 1908, the building became informally known as the “Dixie Corner” with San Antonio-based Dixico Oil and Refining Company establishing an office there using the 402 N. Chaparral Street corner spot and the Dixie Café launching at number 406 with the nickelodeon-era Dixie Theatre sandwiched between the two at 404 N. Chaparral Street. The Dixie Rooms were placed in the building’s upper floor for short term rentals and overnights. The operators of the Dixie Theatre – George Bailey – and the Lyric Theatre were caught off guard in 1911 when the City shut down both theatres for Sunday operation without providing any warning.

W.A. Harris took on the venue in 1912 followed by S.H. Zinn who took on the venue in 1914. Zinn gave the Dixie Theatre an overhaul including aisles for better audience flow to and from the auditorium and a large fan. And he kept admission at a nickel, to boot. Under Zinn, it became the New Dixie Theatre beginning August 13, 1914 with Francis X. Bushman in “Dear Old Girl” and Keystone Studio’s 1912 film, “Mr. Fixit" (not to be confused with Lubin’s 1912 film also titled, “Mr. Fixit”).

The Dixie Corner lessees look to have vacated en-masse after 10 years in 1918. All four Dixies - the Oil Company, the theatre, the café and the upper floor rooms - were replaced in 1919 by the local “Caller” newspaper which took over the second floor and the corner office of the Doddridge Building. The Boston Department Store combined spots 404 and 406 that had housed the Dixie Theatre and the Dixie Café. The Doddridge Building not only survived the infamous 1919 Hurricane but was still in use 140 years later in the 2020’s.

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