Strand Theatre

Joe Vogel on November 1, 2010 at 8:12 am

Are we certain of the 1915 opening for this house? The April 12, 1913, issue of The Moving Picture World had this item about the proposed Auditorium Theatre:

“Plans have been completed for the Auditorium Theater, to be erected at Dawson Springs, Ky., at once. The seating capacity of the house will be 1,000, while the cost is estimated at $10,000. The structure will be ready by June 1. The Kentucky Pharmaceutical Association, which will hold its annual convention in Dawson Springs, beginning June 1, will use it for a week. The theater will be devoted to vaudeville and moving pictures. Dawson Springs is a popular summer resort, thousands of folk from Kentucky and adjoining states spending the summer there to obtain the benefit of tbe waters. W. I. Hamby is president of the company, which is erecting the theater.”

The May 10, 1913 issue of The Moving Picture World had this item:

“Paducah, Ky. — Architect A. L. Lassiter, of this city, has completed plans for the Auditorium theater to be erected at Dawson Springs by an association, headed by W. I. Hamby, a prominent resident of the health resort.“

I’ve been unable to find any later items about the Auditorium Theatre confirming that it opened in 1913, but not knowing seanjung’s source for the 1915 date I can’t judge how accurate it is likely to have been. Building projects have often suffered long delays.

kencmcintyre on June 6, 2007 at 11:20 pm

The immortal Howdy Forrester earned $3 for playing at the Strand in Dawson Springs, according to this ad for a biography. Please note that no other books besides this one have concerned this legendary fiddler:
http://tinyurl.com/37tr88