Name/Title
501-505 Edmond - The Orpheum Theater, St. Joseph Shoe Repair, Mac's Jewelry Shop, Fred Ake ConfectionaryEntry/Object ID
2020.25.641Description
501-505 Edmond - Saxes Orpheum Theater, St. Joseph Shoe Repair, Mac's Jewelry Shop, Fred Ake Confectionary
The beautiful Saxes Orpheum Theater was once one of the gems of downtown. It was located at the northeast corner of 5th and Edmond. It was built in 1912 on the site where the Schlitz Cafe once stood. The theater was brightly lit at night. The first floor of the theater included commercial space for several small businesses. In 1930 the theater was refurbished and remodeled with new screens, sound, seating etc.
On January 23, 1933 a $35,000 fire severely damaged the theater and St Joseph Shoe Repair on the first floor. After the January fire, the theater was rebuilt and reopened in October 1933. The new theater was beautiful butnot as extravagant as the original theater. I went there a couple times as a child in the 1950's. It smelled of stale cigar & cigarette smoke. At that time it was legal to smoke in theaters.
On April 4, 1958, the theater was sold to the Mechanics Bank On May 15, 1958, it was announced that the theater would be razed. The building is now gone and is now a parking lot.
Circa 1890
SCHLITZ CAFE (Before the Orpheum was the Grand Cafe 2020.25.561)
501 Edmond
Circa 1905
SCHLITZ CAFE
501 Edmond
Circa 1912
SAXES ORPHEUM THEATER
Original Building
501-505 Edmond
Circa 1924
SAXES ORPHEUM THEATER
Original Building
501-505 Edmond
Circa 1924
ST JOSEPH SHOE REPAIR
505 Edmond
Circa 1933
SAXES ORPHEUM THEATER
Front Rebuilt after 1933 fire
501-505 Edmond
Circa 1933
ST JOSEPH SHOE REPAIR
501-505 Edmond
Circa 1933
MAC'S JEWELRY SHOP
501 Edmond
Circa 1937
FRED AKE CONFECTIONARY
505 Edmond
Circa 1957
ORPHEUM THEATER
501 Edmond
Circa 1957
MAC'S JEWELRY SHOP
501 Edmond
-------------------------------------------------------
Mac's Jewelry Shop was located adjacent to the theater
On April 4, 1958, the theater was sold to the Mechanics Bank
On May 15, 1958, it was announced that the theater would be razed
The building is now gone and is currently a parking lot
I only went there a couple times as a child in the 1950's before the razing
It smelled very badly of stale cigar & cigarette smoke
Back then, people were allowed to smoke in the theaters
There was also a lot that was used for sideshows
The theater was brightly lit at night
Photo #7 is a November 1, 1930 St Joseph News Press advertisement telling about the Orpheum being totally remodeled with new screens, sound, seating etc.
In photo #1, the original Townsend, Wyatt and Wall department store at 5th & Felix can be seen in the background
On January 23, 1933 a $35,000 fire severely damaged the theater along with St Joseph Shoe Repair, 505 Edmond, which also shared the structure.
The fire was believed to have been vandalism by disgruntled employees
After the January fire, the theater was rebuilt and reopened in October 1933
The new theater was not as extravagant as the original theater
Mac's Jewelry Shop was located adjacent to the theater
On April 4, 1958, the theater was sold to the Mechanics Bank
On May 15, 1958, it was announced that the theater would be razed
The building is now gone and is currently a parking lot
I only went there a couple times as a child in the 1950's before the razing
It smelled very badly of stale cigar & cigarette smoke
Back then, people were allowed to smoke in the theaters
https://www.stjosephmemorylane.com/5thstreet/south5th.htmlPhotograph Details
Subject Person or Organization
The OrpheumSubject Place
Location
501-505 Edmond StreetCity
St. JosephState/Province
MissouriContext
Circa 1912
SAXES ORPHEUM THEATER
Original Building
501-505 Edmond
Circa 1924
SAXES ORPHEUM THEATER
Original Building
501-505 Edmond
Circa 1924
ST JOSEPH SHOE REPAIR
505 Edmond
Circa 1933
SAXES ORPHEUM THEATER
Front Rebuilt after 1933 fire
501-505 Edmond
Circa 1933
ST JOSEPH SHOE REPAIR
501-505 Edmond
Circa 1933
MAC'S JEWELRY SHOP
501 Edmond
Circa 1937
FRED AKE CONFECTIONARY
505 Edmond
Circa 1957
ORPHEUM THEATER
501 Edmond
Circa 1957
MAC'S JEWELRY SHOP
501 Edmond
The beautiful Saxes Orpheum Theater was once one of the gems of downtown
It was built in 1912 on the site where the Schlitz Cafe once stood
There was also a lot that was used for sideshows
The theater was brightly lit at night
The Orpheum Theater was located on the northeast corner of 5th & Edmond
Photo #7 is a November 1, 1930 St Joseph News Press advertisement telling about the Orpheum being totally remodeled with new screens, sound, seating etc.
In photo #1, the original Townsend, Wyatt and Wall department store at 5th & Felix can be seen in the background
On January 23, 1933 a $35,000 fire severely damaged the theater along with St Joseph Shoe Repair, 505 Edmond, which also shared the structure.
The fire was believed to have been vandalism by disgruntled employees
After the January fire, the theater was rebuilt and reopened in October 1933
The new theater was not as extravagant as the original theater
Mac's Jewelry Shop was located adjacent to the theater
On April 4, 1958, the theater was sold to the Mechanics Bank
On May 15, 1958, it was announced that the theater would be razed
The building is now gone and is currently a parking lot
I only went there a couple times as a child in the 1950's before the razing
It smelled very badly of stale cigar & cigarette smoke
Back then, people were allowed to smoke in the theaters
ORIGINAL PHOTOS BEFORE THE 1933 FIRE
Photo #1 - Circa 1912 - Outside view from 5th & Edmond
Photo #2 - Circa 1912 - Inside view
Photo #3 - Circa 1912 - Outside night view
Photo #4 - Circa 1912 - Edmond Street looking West towards 5th St
Photo #5 - Circa 1912 - Brightly lit Orpheum at night
Photo #6 - The Orpheum Theater in it's prime
Photo #7 - November 1, 1930 - remodeled & reopening advertisement
AFTER THE 1933 FIRE REBUILD PHOTOS
Photo #1-R - 1948 newspaper advertisement
Photo #2-R - October 13, 1933 announcing reopening after fire
Photo #3-R - Circa 1933 - Interior after reopening in 1933 after fire
Photo #4-R - Circa 1958 - As it looked in April 1958
Photo #5-R - May 15, 1958 sold to Mechanics Bank
Photo #6-R - Adv of Orpheum movie showing at reopening on October 14, 1933 after fire
Orpheum Theater May 15 1958
Reopens Oct 14 1933
Orpheum 5th & Francis
Reopening
