I’m pretty sure it did. As I said, I won a Halloween costume contest there so we must have been up high enough for people to see us. But, since I was only six or so at the time, I could be mistaken.
I see pictures of the Olympia in Al’s photo album, but no mention of it in the list of theaters. Since it was the grande dame of Miami showplaces, I would have thought there would be a lot about it.
The Miami theater downtown never had a separate area that I ever knew about. In fact, there were no downtown theaters that were ever anything but white only. Black only theaters were in the ghetto areas such as what is now called “Over town.” The only “mixed” theater I ever attended was one in Key West. Don’t remember the name. It was a very dilapidated affair. There was no theater seating. Instead, there was a collection of wicker rockers, straight back kitchen chairs, etc. Blacks were segregated to the balcony. I remember how it sagged in the middle as though ready to collapse. I don’t know about the Sunset. I used to pass by on the way to an uncle’s house in South Miami, but I never went in. The “South Miami Theater” rings no bells. Fred R. Jackson ‘52
I should have previewed my previous message. I neglected to say that I went to the contest dressed as a wounded soldier with that sign around my neck. Sorry. It’s “Old timer’s disease” I guess.
No. I now live in Texas and yes I do have info on the Strand. I tried to send a comment last night, but got rejected twice. I’ll now try again. During WWII I lived at 14th ave. and 21st Terrace. My parents would occasionally take me to the Strand. It was another theater in the more modern mode like the Dade and Town. I can remember the roller rink adjacent on the south side of 7th ave. On Friday and Saturday nights you would have to push your way through the skaters crowding the sidewalk. They often would have dish nights where they would give free dishes with an admission ticket. My most vivid memory was a Halloween costume contest right after the start of WWII. I wore a sign around my neck that said, “Yeah, but you should have seen what I did to Hitler! I won. Fred R. Jackson ‘52.
I too, frequented the Dade and Regent in Allapattah beginning in WWII. The Dade was located on the north side of 36th street just east of 17th ave. There was a drug store on the corner, then the Dade and then the Western Auto. On the south side on the southeast corner was a Royal Castle. Just east of it was a newspaper and magazine stand.I don’t remember the names of any of these other businesses.
The best thing about the Dade was that they gave free passes on Fridays and Saturdays to members of the school safety patrols. I was the Captain for Comstock Elementary so I took advantage of this perq quite often. That’s about all I can remember, but if you have any other questions I might answer just ask. Fred R. Jackson Class of ‘52
Maybe the third time will be the charm. I’ve had two previous messages deleted. Bottom line: There’s a Miami Jackson website on MyFamily.com made up of grads from the 1950’s. Dick Ward is the guy who runs the site. He was a Miami police officer for 30+/– years. I’m sure he, or one of the many other members could give you some info on the Strand. His email is .com
I’m pretty sure it did. As I said, I won a Halloween costume contest there so we must have been up high enough for people to see us. But, since I was only six or so at the time, I could be mistaken.
Al & Louis,
I see pictures of the Olympia in Al’s photo album, but no mention of it in the list of theaters. Since it was the grande dame of Miami showplaces, I would have thought there would be a lot about it.
Fred R.
The Miami theater downtown never had a separate area that I ever knew about. In fact, there were no downtown theaters that were ever anything but white only. Black only theaters were in the ghetto areas such as what is now called “Over town.” The only “mixed” theater I ever attended was one in Key West. Don’t remember the name. It was a very dilapidated affair. There was no theater seating. Instead, there was a collection of wicker rockers, straight back kitchen chairs, etc. Blacks were segregated to the balcony. I remember how it sagged in the middle as though ready to collapse. I don’t know about the Sunset. I used to pass by on the way to an uncle’s house in South Miami, but I never went in. The “South Miami Theater” rings no bells. Fred R. Jackson ‘52
I should have previewed my previous message. I neglected to say that I went to the contest dressed as a wounded soldier with that sign around my neck. Sorry. It’s “Old timer’s disease” I guess.
Fred R. Jackson ‘52
No. I now live in Texas and yes I do have info on the Strand. I tried to send a comment last night, but got rejected twice. I’ll now try again. During WWII I lived at 14th ave. and 21st Terrace. My parents would occasionally take me to the Strand. It was another theater in the more modern mode like the Dade and Town. I can remember the roller rink adjacent on the south side of 7th ave. On Friday and Saturday nights you would have to push your way through the skaters crowding the sidewalk. They often would have dish nights where they would give free dishes with an admission ticket. My most vivid memory was a Halloween costume contest right after the start of WWII. I wore a sign around my neck that said, “Yeah, but you should have seen what I did to Hitler! I won. Fred R. Jackson ‘52.
I too, frequented the Dade and Regent in Allapattah beginning in WWII. The Dade was located on the north side of 36th street just east of 17th ave. There was a drug store on the corner, then the Dade and then the Western Auto. On the south side on the southeast corner was a Royal Castle. Just east of it was a newspaper and magazine stand.I don’t remember the names of any of these other businesses.
The best thing about the Dade was that they gave free passes on Fridays and Saturdays to members of the school safety patrols. I was the Captain for Comstock Elementary so I took advantage of this perq quite often. That’s about all I can remember, but if you have any other questions I might answer just ask. Fred R. Jackson Class of ‘52
Maybe the third time will be the charm. I’ve had two previous messages deleted. Bottom line: There’s a Miami Jackson website on MyFamily.com made up of grads from the 1950’s. Dick Ward is the guy who runs the site. He was a Miami police officer for 30+/– years. I’m sure he, or one of the many other members could give you some info on the Strand. His email is .com