Dickinson Theatre
120 SE 8th Avenue,
Topeka,
KS
66603
120 SE 8th Avenue,
Topeka,
KS
66603
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Dickinson Theatres, Sullivan & Considine
Architects: Carl Boller, Robert O. Boller
Firms: Boller Brothers
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Aurora Theatre, Novelty Theatre
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Starting out as the Aurora Theatre in 1906 as a vaudeville theatre, it became the Novelty Theatre in 1909 operated by the Sullivan & Considine Circuit. It was screening movies by 1914. It was remodeled in 1926. It was renamed Dickinson Theatre in 1944. The Dickinson Theatre was smaller compared to its sisters the Jayhawk Theatre and the Grand Theatre.
Not much is known or remembered about the inside of the theatre, but there was a curtain, the “Dickinson” crest hung from the proscenium, and it had a balcony.
It would remain a popular movie theatre until the 1980’s, when it would suffer from competition by newer multi-plex’s being built around the city. This would turn the Dickinson Theatre into a discount, or “dollar movie” joint before its permanent closure on March 27, 1988. It would remain vacant until 1993, when it was demolished to create a parking lot.
The Dickinson Theatre was located on the corner of SE 8th Avenue and SE Quincy Street, across from the Topeka Performing Arts center (west of it). It has been said the original crest that adorned the Dickinson’s sign is stored in the Jayhawk State Theatre.
Contributed by
Michael Parsons
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
This was the main house that Dickinson operated in Topeka for many many years. Their other theater was the Fairlawn Twin and the Chief and Cloverleaf Drive Ins before acquiring the Mann properties.
An advertisement for Boller Brothers in the July 10, 1926, issue of The Reel Journal listed the Novelty Theatre in Topeka as one of the firm’s works. David and Noelle’s list of known Boller theaters has 1926 and 1944 as the years when the Bollers worked on the Novelty, and also gives the house the aka Crystal Theatre.
The Dickenson Theater was a real beauty inside and out. Yes, the stage area was altered for a larger screen and surround sound etc. I do not live in Topeka, but went there as a kid with relatives when I visited. Why in the world would the arts community of Topeka ever had let this be demolished for a stupid surface parking lot. It would have been a wonderful smaller performing arts venue or playhouse. Stupid is Supid is Stupid is is is.
This photo of the Novelty Theatre is dated September, 1926, which would be shortly after the remodeling by the Boller Brothers that year. The mid-1920s were a busy time for the Bollers in Topeka. Their new Jayhawk Theatre would open in August, 1926, and the Grand Theatre had been substantially rebuilt to their plans in 1925.
I can remember a trip to the Dickinson to see a atrocious wide screen version of “Gone With The Wind”. I lived in the 900 block of Topeka blvd, and had 4 great theaters to pick from to go to the movies back then.
The Dickinson Crest is stored in the Jayhawk and I will be restoring it sometime this year. Here is a link to a current photo of it: www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201557902544390&set=oa.771465282898637&type=3&theater
Sooo glad to hear you are working on this Gypsy. Thats an awesome project, I sincerely hope it goes well. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.
I truly loved the Dickinson as I received my very first kiss there. And anyone interested, I do have only one of the Giant Mirrors that were in the lobby. And it is for sale. If interested contact .
Final night of performances: March 27th, 1988. Article uploaded.
This item from Motion Picture News of May 8, 1926, says that the house that would become the Dickinson theatre was to be in an entirely new building in 1926, not just a remodeling of the old Novelty Theatre: “A new theatre will be constructed on the site of the present Novelty Theatre, Eighth Avenue and Quincy Street, Topeka, Kans., it is rumored, although the name of the prospective builder, or builders, has not been disclosed.”
Whether the house was entirely new in 1926 or not, this web page from the University of Kansas indicates that the Novelty originally opened in 1906 as the Aurora theater and was renamed the Novelty in 1909. The house was showing movies by 1914, and was listed in the American Motion Picture Directory that year. The new or remodeled house of 1926 operated as the Novelty until 1944, when it became the Dickinson.