Strand Theatre

2 E. Washington Avenue,
Athens, TN 37303

Unfavorite 1 person favorited this theater

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Martin Theatres

Functions: Retail

Nearby Theaters

Strand Theatre Athens TN

Opened in 1926. Listed in the 1964-68 IMPA under the Martin Theatre Circuit. The theatre might have been in operation under a different name or management prior to 1964 or after 1968. It was closed in 1972. By 2019 the building was in use by various retail outlets.

Contributed by Jack Coursey

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on July 2, 2009 at 7:46 pm

I’ve found the Strand mentioned in Boxoffice Magazine as early as the July 6, 1940, issue. At that time it was being operated by the Manning & Wink circuit.

The most recent Boxoffice mention of the Strand I’ve found is in the January 31, 1972, issue, at which time it was still being operated by Martin.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 18, 2012 at 6:31 am

Here is a 1948 photo of the Strand.

The September 9, 1916, issue of The Moving Picture World had an item about a Strand Theatre in Athens, but I’m not sure it was the same house:

“The old Palace theater has been remodeled, and is now known as the Strand. This house runs Metro pictures, and is owned by Manning & Wink, who operate several houses in Georgia and Tennessee.”
The Strand building in the various photos looks a bit too modern to have been operating in 1916, though it might have been remodeled again later, of course.

Patsy
Patsy on September 9, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Just learned about this former theatre in Etowah. It’s a shame it still doesn’t exit. The b/w 1948 photo of its marquee and crowd of movie goers is a wonderful tribute photo to this theatre. Thanks Joe!

tntim
tntim on October 18, 2022 at 11:36 am

I posted a current photo of the side of the building in the photo section. it looks like it may have had a stage with a fly loft.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 19, 2022 at 4:14 pm

The historical marker at the Strand Theatre says that it occupies the site of the Foree Hotel, which burned in 1925. Manning & Wink bought the site that year, so the Strand Theater the chain had been operating in 1916 must have been at a different location. The new Strand probably opened in 1926, as it makes its first appearance in the FDY in the 1927 edition.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.