Built as an opera house, perhaps, and later converted into a movie theater (The Uptown), this beautiful stone structure is beginning its long-awaited restoration. Please join in the great adventure!
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In 1900, construction began on a large stone building in Strong City, Kansas. Carved into stone above the main entrance: 1900 Auditorium. While local lore says that the building was used initially as an opera house, no evidence supports this. In the 1920s, the building was converted to show new-fangled moving pictures. Yes, actual moving…
Continue ReadingCarved into stone above the main entrance of the building is 1900 AUDITORIUM. But the building, also known as the Opera House, was later converted into a movie house, and renamed the Uptown (in, it seems, the 1930s). A neon sign was installed and for many decades its magically lighted presence beckoned moviegoers.…
Continue ReadingYesterday, I was having lunch at Ad Astra in Strong City. Marilyn McComber stopped by and said: “I have something for you that you are going to LOVE!” I replied: “A million dollars?” “Even better!” And she handed me an envelope. Better than a million dollars? I opened the envelope, pulled something out…and shrieked! It…
Continue ReadingThe Strong City Preservation Alliance now has a GO FUND ME account to help restore the 1900 Theater! If you would like to help, just click on the DONATE button at the op of this page, or click on the GO FUND ME icon at the bottom of the page! Now that the roof has…
Continue ReadingAbout a decade ago the neon UPTOWN sign was taken down, and it has been stored ever since in a city-owned building. It was high up and hard to see in storage. But today it was brought down to ground level! From what we can tell, the sign was black with…
Continue ReadingIt has been something of a mystery when the 1900 Auditorium was renamed the UPTOWN theater. This week, Tom Thompson solve this mystery!
Continue ReadingIn 2000, the roof of the 1900 theater suffered a partial collapse, then total collapse. Almost the entire interior was destroyed by this catastrophe. A successful grant application enabled a new roof to be installed. Then, the destroyed interior, which had been rained on for years, was scooped out. But one portion remained. Through the…
Continue ReadingIn 2000, the roof of the 1900 theater suffered a partial collapse, then total collapse. Almost the entire interior was destroyed by this catastrophe. A successful grant application enabled a new roof to be installed. Then, the destroyed interior, which had been rained on for years, was scooped out. The lobby though, thanks to the…
Continue ReadingThis Wednesday, and through Sunday, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on the porch of the 1900 theater waving hello to all good boys and girls! (Oh, heck, and maybe some naughty boys and girls, too!). And there will elves, as well! And candy canes for everybody! Ho, ho, ho!!!!!!!!
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