Stephen, I echo the thoughts of TJ on your father’s passing. I have been fascinated with theaters since the late ‘60s, particularly with those in my hometown of St Louis, and your father filled in many of the holes of my research over the years through his comments and pictures. He will be missed.
When I was looking all over for these old theaters in St Louis back in the 70’s, I looked everywhere for this one. Turned out I had the wrong address (it was the 70’s after all). Then one day driving around for some other reason I found it. But I didn’t have my Kodak 110 camera with me. Never was able to get back to it before it was gone.
RetroMike, the picture of the Lafayette on your blog that I uploaded here was one I took in the early 70’s and not the 60’s. It was not long after (maybe a year) that it was torn down for a National Food Store.
msova, I totally agree. This theater will sit and crumble because the city can’t afford to raze it. Of all the places I’ve been taking pictures, this one was the one I was most concerned about my safety. I can’t see any hope for this one being restored or viable.
All photos uploaded to this website attached to my name were personally taken by me and not pulled from any other source. If someone is linking to a flickr page it is not being uploaded or stolen from you, it is linking to your flickr page.
Kyle, you are correct. GCC was never involved in the Crestwood area. The Crestwood Plaza theaters (both the one in the food court area and the current one on the upper level by the former Dillard’s) have always been AMC. The Crestwood Theater up the street on Watson was a Mid-America house.
Chuck, I agree with you that the building doesn’t look like a 1914 building, but it looks like the facade was completely overhauled by the owner. The back of the building looks as old as the rest of the downtown area of Anna and looks like it could have been a 1930’s small town theater. I’m just not completely convinced either way that this is or isn’t the Yale.
Need some info please. This site has the address as 226 S Main and demolished while other sources list it at 327 S Main and the building being occupied by the local Moose lodge. I went by Monday night and it looked like it might have been a theater in a prior life. Hopefully someone from the area can help out.
Kyle, you are correct. The credit union is in the former Long John Silver’s building that replaced the Crest. I know this because I managed the Long John’s when it originally opened. It turned out to be one of their poorer locations and closed soon after.
After looking at older photos I had my doubts about the building. I believe the remaining picture would be what would have been the marquee but if that’s wrong I’ll remove it as well.
No sign of the Newport when I was there last Wednesday. The field of the Woodzo is extremely overgrown save for the gravel car paths. It was impossible to get much of a picture of the back of the screen.
Chris, in looking at the picture it does look like the projection is at the rear of the building. I never went to this one so I’m guessing you are correct. Now if you need any info on the Ronnie’s or South Twin I’m your guy.
I just went by this theater today. It missed the path of the tornado by five blocks. Once you pass 20th street on Main there is complete and utter destruction.
Kyle, you wouldn’t believe the ghost town that Northwest Plaza has become. It’s amazing how dominating this building looked out on Lindbergh as you drove by.
Stephen, I echo the thoughts of TJ on your father’s passing. I have been fascinated with theaters since the late ‘60s, particularly with those in my hometown of St Louis, and your father filled in many of the holes of my research over the years through his comments and pictures. He will be missed.
When I was looking all over for these old theaters in St Louis back in the 70’s, I looked everywhere for this one. Turned out I had the wrong address (it was the 70’s after all). Then one day driving around for some other reason I found it. But I didn’t have my Kodak 110 camera with me. Never was able to get back to it before it was gone.
RetroMike, the picture of the Lafayette on your blog that I uploaded here was one I took in the early 70’s and not the 60’s. It was not long after (maybe a year) that it was torn down for a National Food Store.
This theater is closed.
msova, I totally agree. This theater will sit and crumble because the city can’t afford to raze it. Of all the places I’ve been taking pictures, this one was the one I was most concerned about my safety. I can’t see any hope for this one being restored or viable.
All photos uploaded to this website attached to my name were personally taken by me and not pulled from any other source. If someone is linking to a flickr page it is not being uploaded or stolen from you, it is linking to your flickr page.
Joe, I believe you are correct. When the Stadium is included on CT I will link the photos to the proper theater.
The Drive-In is still open though on the market. They are showing The Amazing Spider Man this weekend along with Brave.
This one is closed and for sale.
Kyle, you are correct. GCC was never involved in the Crestwood area. The Crestwood Plaza theaters (both the one in the food court area and the current one on the upper level by the former Dillard’s) have always been AMC. The Crestwood Theater up the street on Watson was a Mid-America house.
Chuck, I agree with you that the building doesn’t look like a 1914 building, but it looks like the facade was completely overhauled by the owner. The back of the building looks as old as the rest of the downtown area of Anna and looks like it could have been a 1930’s small town theater. I’m just not completely convinced either way that this is or isn’t the Yale.
Need some info please. This site has the address as 226 S Main and demolished while other sources list it at 327 S Main and the building being occupied by the local Moose lodge. I went by Monday night and it looked like it might have been a theater in a prior life. Hopefully someone from the area can help out.
Mid-America especially. They put up those little twin theaters all over the place.
The Drive-In looks so much better than when I came through 8 years ago and photographed it. Best of luck with it.
What a beauty. Hope to someday get there and shoot this one myself.
What a great job you guys do. Looking forward to more in the coming year.
Kyle, you are correct. The credit union is in the former Long John Silver’s building that replaced the Crest. I know this because I managed the Long John’s when it originally opened. It turned out to be one of their poorer locations and closed soon after.
After looking at older photos I had my doubts about the building. I believe the remaining picture would be what would have been the marquee but if that’s wrong I’ll remove it as well.
No sign of the Newport when I was there last Wednesday. The field of the Woodzo is extremely overgrown save for the gravel car paths. It was impossible to get much of a picture of the back of the screen.
Chris, in looking at the picture it does look like the projection is at the rear of the building. I never went to this one so I’m guessing you are correct. Now if you need any info on the Ronnie’s or South Twin I’m your guy.
This building sat out on the front of the property on Page. It really had nothing to do with the drive-in other than it was on the property.
Wishful thinking – that’s part of the sign of the neighboring business which was set back from the street.
I just went by this theater today. It missed the path of the tornado by five blocks. Once you pass 20th street on Main there is complete and utter destruction.
This was around ‘72 or '73. I’m sure Arthur still had it then.
Kyle, you wouldn’t believe the ghost town that Northwest Plaza has become. It’s amazing how dominating this building looked out on Lindbergh as you drove by.