Strand Theatre
415 S. Gay Street,
Knoxville,
TN
37902
415 S. Gay Street,
Knoxville,
TN
37902
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Thanks tntim.
Nice photo tntim.
Mike,the Lenox is at: /theaters/15656/
Any one up there hear of a LENOX THEATRE?
Here is a 1923 picture of the Strand:
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Was the Gay Theatre’s name changed to the Strand as early as 1917, or was there an earlier Strand Theatre in Knoxville? The July 7, 1917, issue of the trade journal The Music Trade Review said: “The Signal Amusement Co. of Chattanooga has opened the new Strand Theatre in Knoxville.”
Will: Charlie Champ later became a member of the projectionist’s union which the local in Knoxville was formed in 1920. At that time a theatre owner or manager could not be a union member. So I would guess that he closed or sold off his theatre interests before 1920.
According to the Knoxville City Directories, the Gay Theatre (later called the Strand) opened in 1911 with Charles Champe as manager. Mr. Champe was also manager or owner of the short-lived Bonita Theatre a block away. The city directories show this hall at 403-405 S. Gay.
Thanks to tntim: this theatre was built as the Gay Theatre (known to have been operating in 1914 from newspaper ads). It was remodeled and renamed Strand to compete with the luxurious new Riviera across the street.