Fairview Theatre
657 Memorial Drive SE,
Atlanta,
GA
303012
657 Memorial Drive SE,
Atlanta,
GA
303012
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I’m conducting a real estate assessment on the southern side of the block of Memorial Drive (originally Fair Street) between Berean Avenue and Cameron Street that is currently addressed as 655 and 663. According to the city directory and sanborn maps I have this movie house was there in 1932 and remained through 1952 addressed as 657 Memorial Drive. A truck parts facility has been at this location since the mid 1960’s in a building they constructed so there is no evidence of the old movie house. Its just across the street from the Immanuel Baptist Church that was built in 1902.
The Fairview initially opened as the Memorial, but I am not sure when. It’s name was subsequently changed to The Fairview, and that’s what I knew it as growing up in that area in the late ‘40’s. However, at sometime prior to 1950, the name was changed back to The Memorial before it closed and was subsequently demolished. I do not know when it closed. It was at the location mention, and in the same little strip mall as Roy Hale’s Supper Club. I have a photo from 1937 that I will try to post. The Adams who owned it at that time, still owned it later, and one of their sons is still in the Atlanta area.
Another note:
My Uncle told me also, that the theatre started attracting a “rough” element, which was in part due, to a bar opening up nearby called “Roy Hell’s.”
He said there fights, stabbings, and gunfire and murders there. It made for a bad neighbor, for the movie theatre.
My uncle recalls that the mountain people living in CABBAGETOWN, used to see movies at this theatre. It was a huge joy, after working hours upon hours, in the mill.
He remembers is muchly… That others do, will be a blessing to him…
THANKS!
The 1954 Atlanta Telephone Directory lists the Memorial Theatre at 657 Memorial Drive, SE. The newspaper listings that I have from that period do not list either the Fairview or the Memorial Theatre. The address would have been in the general vicinity of Oakland Cemetary. Apparently, the building must have been demolished years ago. In 2003 there was nothing corresponding to the number 657 address on Memorial Drive. It would have stood on the South side of the street, as I recall.
Having grown up on the East side of Atlanta, I was very familiar with Memorial Drive. Frankly, I cannot remember anything that was recognizable as a closed movie theater in that area.
My educated guess is that the Fairview/Memorial was one of a group
of neighborhood theatres that closed in the early to mid 1950’s. In the same general vicinity, due East of downtown Atlanta, was the long gone Empire Theatre at 42 Georgia Avenue, SW (opposite present day Turner Field), as well as the Temple Theatre at 456 Cherokee Avenue, SE (still standing in 2003).
Hopefully, someone has more specifics.