Tip Top Theatre

The Tip-Top was one of the first two nickelodeons in Carrollton in 1909. S. Waterson and his wife of Kansas City opened the a new theatre here on September 15, 1909. A typical store-show nickelodeon of the era, they had chairs, carpet, a piano, an informal projection booth, and a naming contest. When the index cards were collected and evaluated, “Tip-Top” submitted by Josephine Hale won the $5 and moniker of choice. Four one-reel films and illustrated songs was what you got for your dime.

On selected weekends with the full Carrollton orchestra, shows could cost 15 cents at the Tip-Top Theatre. The Watersons partnered with G.N. Kelley to create a better theatre facility with a slanted floor. They also conducted a tent show in the warm summer months of 1911.

The new Waterson/Kelly theatre would eventually be the Star Theatre. It was taken over by Charles Woodlan. Jarboe & Minnis took over the Tip-Top Theatre. They would merge with Woodlan moving it to new digs on South Main Street as the Tip-Top Theatre (in the Star Building). In 1913, the venue found another owner moving the Tip-Top Theatre to a third building - this one on North Folger - for its final year of operation. It closed with the Star Theatre name returning to the building.

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