The idea of Pratt’s Opera House came exactly almost four months after the original Fulton Opera House was destroyed by a fire.
In late-April 1903, a deal was both closed and accepted to build a 900-seat opera house in Fulton as it was decided when the Ways and Means committee appointed by the citizens' meeting consummated the final arrangements with John Pratt for the construction of his playhouse to cost not less than $12,000. According to a previous meeting, the committee asked for an extension of time in order to perfect its subscription list and get the same in more secure shape by ten days. After carefully canvassing the situation, the committee discovered that $100 was still lacking to make up the necessary $3,000 bonus but notwithstanding the resolution being unanimously adopted that authorize Pratt to proceed with the erection of the playhouse. They later launched a public enterprise that has not only labored diligently and untiringly for the successful outcome of the project.
Construction started several months later from both his theater and the neighboring Arlington Hotel that was both led by Contractor Braun. During the final touches, Claude Wilkerson became the manager of the theater. At the same time, Wilker booked the Quincy Adams Sawyer Company for a production that will give in Fulton that finished a two-week engagement in the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, exactly three weeks before the catastrophic 1903 Iroquois Theatre Fire. Due to multiple delays throughout the first quarter of 1904, its formal opening was rescheduled from late December 1903 to March 1904.
After all the delays, the Pratt’s Opera House opened its doors on March 14, 1904 with a live presentation of Walker Whiteside in “We Are King”. Throughout its history, it had a couple of renames. It was once renamed Pratt’s Theatre and finally known as simply Pratt Theatre.
The Pratt Theatre continued operating as both a special events and vaudeville house until closing in 1937.
The Electric Theatre’s building was known as the Powell Building when J.T. Ogle opened the theater on August 2, 1907, but unfortunately the management did receive trouble due to major crowding that causes a lack of room in the auditorium.
The Electric Theatre was renamed the Gem Theatre in January 1914 while being managed by H.L. Crockett.
The Alpharetta Drive-In is a very short-lived drive-in, opened in 1958 and closed in 1964. Throughout its short run, it was operated by Atlanta real estate Donald E. Brown.
The Capitol Theatre opened its doors on November 7, 1938 with Wayne Morris in “Valley Of The Giants” (unknown if extras added), with a total capacity of 800 seats. The theater itself was built by the National Cafe Holding Company for the Famous Players chain at the cost of $60,000. A total of 1,070 patrons attended its grand opening that day.
The theater did had a short closure for a few months in 1988 when the theater was sold to Landmark Theatres. It had an updated interior which also included Dolby surround stereo sound.
The Starlight Drive-In operated as early as August 1997. It did had a different operator beforehand but at the time it was operated by Martin Biggerstaff.
This cracked me up with massive laughter! Looks like they bought cheaper equipment from some Circuit City or something, and installed Windows XP via DosBox on their Macintosh while hooked up to a DVD player before opening. That’s why the theater was short-lived.
There are two drive-in theaters in Monroe. I cannot find the M&T but I spotted the Monroe Drive-In off of 409 James Huff Rd, Monroe, GA 30656 (which appears to have opened in the mid-1960s and continued into the 1980s). The Monroe Drive-In was operated by Monroe Theatres Inc. led by Wayne Shields.
All the information above came directly from an announcement posted on The Evening Tribune from December 1953. Unfortunately there is no grand opening ad or article (but I could be wrong. If there is one then I considered as lost). And yes, despite “Poinsett Drive” being listed in the announcement, I don’t see any sign of “Poinsett Drive” from Google or Historic Aerials as I looked up from earlier this afternoon, although I came close with “Lake Poinsett Road” way west of Cocoa.
The Skyview Drive-In opened its gates on December 6, 1953 with “The Greatest Show On Earth” along with an unnamed cartoon and a newsreel, and was located one block west of Yancey Trailer Park on Poinsett Drive.
According to an announcement released by the management before opening, it originally operated as a drive-in for white and black patrons with separated entrances. Unfortunately later into its operation is when most of their special children’s events are focused more towards the colored children while the white children had their events at the State Theatre, meaning that it turned into an African-American drive-in within a year.
Opened with Charles Ray in “A Midnight Bell” along with unknown extras.
The Fox was a first-run movie house throughout most of its life until closing in October 1976. The Fox reopened a short time later screening Spanish features and was closed several years later.
If I have to take a guess on the car capacity, I’ll say 150 cars.
The idea of Pratt’s Opera House came exactly almost four months after the original Fulton Opera House was destroyed by a fire.
In late-April 1903, a deal was both closed and accepted to build a 900-seat opera house in Fulton as it was decided when the Ways and Means committee appointed by the citizens' meeting consummated the final arrangements with John Pratt for the construction of his playhouse to cost not less than $12,000. According to a previous meeting, the committee asked for an extension of time in order to perfect its subscription list and get the same in more secure shape by ten days. After carefully canvassing the situation, the committee discovered that $100 was still lacking to make up the necessary $3,000 bonus but notwithstanding the resolution being unanimously adopted that authorize Pratt to proceed with the erection of the playhouse. They later launched a public enterprise that has not only labored diligently and untiringly for the successful outcome of the project.
Construction started several months later from both his theater and the neighboring Arlington Hotel that was both led by Contractor Braun. During the final touches, Claude Wilkerson became the manager of the theater. At the same time, Wilker booked the Quincy Adams Sawyer Company for a production that will give in Fulton that finished a two-week engagement in the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, exactly three weeks before the catastrophic 1903 Iroquois Theatre Fire. Due to multiple delays throughout the first quarter of 1904, its formal opening was rescheduled from late December 1903 to March 1904.
After all the delays, the Pratt’s Opera House opened its doors on March 14, 1904 with a live presentation of Walker Whiteside in “We Are King”. Throughout its history, it had a couple of renames. It was once renamed Pratt’s Theatre and finally known as simply Pratt Theatre.
The Pratt Theatre continued operating as both a special events and vaudeville house until closing in 1937.
The Electric Theatre’s building was known as the Powell Building when J.T. Ogle opened the theater on August 2, 1907, but unfortunately the management did receive trouble due to major crowding that causes a lack of room in the auditorium.
The Electric Theatre was renamed the Gem Theatre in January 1914 while being managed by H.L. Crockett.
So it closed in 1984.
The Alpharetta Drive-In is a very short-lived drive-in, opened in 1958 and closed in 1964. Throughout its short run, it was operated by Atlanta real estate Donald E. Brown.
Special credit to Filmack for that shot right there!
I believe that this opened earlier than 1955 as well.
The Capitol Theatre opened its doors on November 7, 1938 with Wayne Morris in “Valley Of The Giants” (unknown if extras added), with a total capacity of 800 seats. The theater itself was built by the National Cafe Holding Company for the Famous Players chain at the cost of $60,000. A total of 1,070 patrons attended its grand opening that day.
The theater did had a short closure for a few months in 1988 when the theater was sold to Landmark Theatres. It had an updated interior which also included Dolby surround stereo sound.
The Starlight Drive-In operated as early as August 1997. It did had a different operator beforehand but at the time it was operated by Martin Biggerstaff.
First known as Famous Players Polson Place 7, and replaced a twin-screener also operated by Famous Players.
Closed on September 4, 1988 with “Young Guns” and “A Night Of The Life With Jimmy Reardon”. Last operated by Cineplex Odeon.
Just to avoid confusions that #1 was named after U.S. Highway 1.
The Vanguard actually closed in 1975.
Anytime!
This cracked me up with massive laughter! Looks like they bought cheaper equipment from some Circuit City or something, and installed Windows XP via DosBox on their Macintosh while hooked up to a DVD player before opening. That’s why the theater was short-lived.
There are two drive-in theaters in Monroe. I cannot find the M&T but I spotted the Monroe Drive-In off of 409 James Huff Rd, Monroe, GA 30656 (which appears to have opened in the mid-1960s and continued into the 1980s). The Monroe Drive-In was operated by Monroe Theatres Inc. led by Wayne Shields.
All the information above came directly from an announcement posted on The Evening Tribune from December 1953. Unfortunately there is no grand opening ad or article (but I could be wrong. If there is one then I considered as lost). And yes, despite “Poinsett Drive” being listed in the announcement, I don’t see any sign of “Poinsett Drive” from Google or Historic Aerials as I looked up from earlier this afternoon, although I came close with “Lake Poinsett Road” way west of Cocoa.
Destroyed by a midnight fire on May 11, 1972.
Both 1983 and 1985 aerial views show the theater appearing to be operational. It appears that it was demolished by the end of the decade.
Completely gone by 1965.
The Skyview Drive-In opened its gates on December 6, 1953 with “The Greatest Show On Earth” along with an unnamed cartoon and a newsreel, and was located one block west of Yancey Trailer Park on Poinsett Drive.
According to an announcement released by the management before opening, it originally operated as a drive-in for white and black patrons with separated entrances. Unfortunately later into its operation is when most of their special children’s events are focused more towards the colored children while the white children had their events at the State Theatre, meaning that it turned into an African-American drive-in within a year.
Opened as early as 1976, first known as Martin Twin.
Opened with Charles Ray in “A Midnight Bell” along with unknown extras.
The Fox was a first-run movie house throughout most of its life until closing in October 1976. The Fox reopened a short time later screening Spanish features and was closed several years later.
Once known as “University Mall Cinemas 1-2-3-4-5-6” when it was expanded to six screens on February 16, 1979.
First operated by Gidden-Rester Theatres.