Wareham Theatre
410 Poyntz Avenue,
Manhattan,
KS
66502
410 Poyntz Avenue,
Manhattan,
KS
66502
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Commonwealth Amusement Corp., Dickinson Theatres, H.J. Griffith Theaters Inc.
Architects: Carl Boller
Firms: Boller Brothers
Functions: Dinner Theater
Previous Names: Moore's Opera House, Wareham Opera House, Wareham Electric Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Moore’s Opera House included a hotel opened on August 17, 1893. It was renamed Wareham Theatre on September 15, 1938. By the late-1940’s it was taken over by Commonwealth Amusement, followed by Dickinson Theatres. Still open, it appears to be a dinner theatre. The building next door with the balconies is the Wareham Hotel which is still open.
Beautiful refinished oak doors and, (it has to be) the original snack bar with its porcelain front. Seats are gone and have been replaced with tables, for dinner.
Contributed by
Joel Weide
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
Thanks again, Hendy. I have pinpointed the Sky Vue, but am not sure about the Edgewood. What street/road was the Edgewood on? Perhaps on/near McCall & Kretschmer Dr?
You are getting closer. Just a bit farther to the east on US24 and across the Blue River. The theater was located on the north side of the highway. Using Mapquest, I cannot find any street/road names that would be helpful but what I’m describing is the general area. I Googled Bob’s Motel (right next to the Edgewood) and found an old postcard with a picture of the motel. It describes being next door to a theater but no solid address given.
I just looked at the postcard again and I believe I can make out the Edgewood’s screen tower just above the motel roof and behind the trees. Here is a link to the postcard: View link
Thanks yet again, Hendy. How far east of the river was the Edgewood? Do you know what occupies the the former Edgewood & Bob’s properties now?
I’m afraid I’ve reached the limits of my memory. I remember, as a boy and teenager, crossing the river and seeing the drive-in. How far east, I’m not sure but certainly not too far. Venturing a guess, I would say maybe a mile or two at the most east of the river.
I’m not sure what is on the property now but I know Manhattan has expanded somewhat in that direction (more so to the west). I do get back there occasionally and will check it out and post back
Tinseltoes: The Carlton is not yet listed. CinemaTour gives the address of the Carlton Theatre as 300 S. 4th Street. It is probably the same building that now houses Ady’s Appliance, 302 S. 4th (southwest corner of Pierre Street), though architect Louis Siebers' streamline modern facade has been given a boxy modernization
I just learned of this theatre in Manhattan, Kansas known as “the little Apple”. Very nice.
I found a couple photos of the Wareham Theater I had taken years ago. Uploaded both of them (one twice somehow, sorry). One of the concession stand and the other of the screen area (now removed). They both look much smaller than I remember from working there in the 1970’s.
The Oct. 27, 1951 issue of Boxoffice had a two-page story, with pictures, of the Wareham and how it rebounded from terrible flood damage in July that year.
The Moore’s Opera House Opened On August 17th, 1893. The Theater Reopened As The Wareham Theatre On September 15, 1938.