Best Theater
Located at 402 S. Kansas Ave. / No other history available at this time.
Apex Theatre
Located at 122 S.E. 4th / No other history available at this time.
Coed Theater
Located at 1401 S.W. Lane / No other history available at this time.
Dickinson
Theater
Located at 120 S.E. 8th. / No history available at this time.
State Theater
Name later changed to Dickinson Theater located at 120 S.E. 8th.
No other history available at this time.
Crystal Theater
Opened in
1944 located at 418 S. Kansas Ave. / No other history available at this time.
Grand
Theater
Located at 613 S.W. Jackson
Opened in 1924 / No other history available at this time.
Gem Theater
Located at 508 S. Kansas Ave. /
No history available
at this time.
Glen Theater
Located at 402 S. Kansas Ave. /
No history available
at this time.
Isis Theater
Located at 122 S.E. 7th /
No history available
at this time.
Kaw Theater
Located at 825 N. Kansas Ave. /
No history available
at this time.
FOX Oakland Theater
Located at 2216 N.E. Sardou /
No history available
at this time.
Orpheum Theater
Located at 109 S.W. 8th /
No history available
at this time.
Princess Theater
Located at 834 N. Kansas Ave. / No other history available at this time.
Ritz Theater
Located at122 S.E. 4th /
No history available
at this time.
Cozy Theater
Located at718 S. Kansas Ave. /
No history available
at this time.
Jayhawk Theater
On August 11, 1925, E.H. Crosby of the Crosby Brothers Company made the
first announcement of his plans to provide the capital city of Kansas
with a modern theatre locate at 111 S.W. 7th. The Jayhawk Theatre opened its doors on August,
1926.
Placed on the national register of historic places in 1974, Topeka
architect Thomas W. Williamson was the designer for the entire complex.
It was later revealed that Mr. Williamson was the architect of record,
and that the Boller Brothers, noted theatre designers from Kansas City,
were actually responsible for the design of the theatre. These two
brothers used the Jayhawk Theatre as a prototype for more than 300
theatres they designed in their career. Elements such as the air
conditioning and its steel and concrete structure made the Jayhawk
Theatre unique and a forerunner of its day.
In 1926, the theatre could seat an audience of 1500 people. A balcony
capable of 650 seats faces the stage, with every person in the theatre
having "the best seat in the house." The Boller Brothers? unique design
incorporated steel trusswork and eliminated supporting columns in the
auditorium, thereby allowing every seat to be a great one.
Serving primarily as a movie theatre, vaudeville acts also played on the
Jayhawk's stage. Radio station WIBW first broadcast from the stage in
1927.
In 1929, 14 year old Gypsy Rose Lee?s career was launched on the
Jayhawk?s stage. Her sister eloped running off from the act minutes
before they were to perform. Gypsy took her place center stage and a
star was born.
In May of 1976, the curtain closed on the Jayhawk Theatre for the last
time, after half a century of motion picture and stage entertainment.
The Hotel Jayhawk, also closed shortly after the theatre, was renovated
into the Jayhawk Tower office complex in 1982 and the theatre became
cordoned off.
Kansas State Historical Society preservation officer Dr. Ramon Powers
wrote a letter in 1992 stating, "that demolition of the building would
damage the historic character of the Jayhawk and two adjacent buildings
on the register: the Jayhawk Tower and the Davis Building."
City officials deterred demolition requests during 1992 and also
declined offers to acquire the theatre. Concerned citizens stepped
forward in January, 1993 with proposals to save the Jayhawk. Through
those efforts, the Historic Jayhawk Theatre, Inc. was formed as a 501C3
charitable corporation and the theatre seemed destined for rebirth.
In 1993, the Kansas State Legislature designated the Jayhawk as the
official State Theatre of Kansas.
The volunteer Board of Directors of The Jayhawk adopted a mission
statement and goals to help guide through the restoration and operation.
When re-opened, The Jayhawk will "provide a multi-purpose community
theater which will enhance the cultural arts, business and education of
the citizens of Kansas. The Jayhawk State Theatre of Kansas will
celebrate Topeka's rich entertainment past and enhance downtown Topeka
and provide a venue for cultural arts, business and education
activities."
Novelty Theater
Located at 120 S.E. 8th /
Opened in 1926 / No other history available at
this time.
Chief Drive In
Located at 1139 S.W. 37th. / No other history available at this time.
Cloverleaf Drive In
No history available at this time.
Community Drive In
Located at 2518 S.E. California /
No other history available at this time.
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