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American Theatre
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619 Market St
Saint Louis MO
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| Record #19872 |
Opened: February 17, 1908
Closed: May 2, 1953
Demolished: 1953
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Capacity: 1707 seats
Architect(s): FC Bonsack
Architectural Style(s):
National Register:
Current Organ: none |
| Also Known As: |
Information for this tour was contributed by Darren Snow. The first major theater in town to bear the American name, this venue was designed by C.F. Bonsack, located in the American Hotel and founded by Louis Cella. With 1,707 seats, three balconies and its own power plant, the impressive theater became the St. Louis home for touring vaudeville acts and the big stars of the day. It was also an early movie outlet for the Triangle Pictures company. By 1918, new managers Klaw & Erlanger were booking "legitimate" stage productions. Over the years, movies were shown sporadically among the live engagements, but the American closed as a playhouse. On May 2, 1953, "The Four Poster" finished its run and star Hume Cronyn sang "Auld Lang Syne." The curtain was not brought down. Two days later, the Cleveland Wrecking Company began the biggest razing job in St. Louis history to date. Crews of 75-100 men, using 1000-foot cranes and 4000-ton iron wrecking balls, took five months to bring the theater and hotel down. The American name was later transferred to the old Orpheum Theater.
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Last featured 3/8/2005. Last edited 9/10/2016.
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