The Plaza Grill and Cinema
|
The Bijou The Crystal Plaza The Plaza | |
| Address |
209 S. Main Ottawa, Kansas |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°26′55.2276″N 95°16′6.1854″W / 38.448674333°N 95.268384833°WCoordinates: 38°26′55.2276″N 95°16′6.1854″W / 38.448674333°N 95.268384833°W |
| Owner | Peach Madl |
| Current use | Movie Theatre |
| Opened | November 1905 |
| Website | |
| Plaza Grill and Cinema | |
The Plaza Grill and Cinema (formerly known as the Crystal Plaza and The Bijou) is located in Ottawa, Kansas and is one of the oldest, if not oldest, operating movie theater in America.[1]
History
A donation of historic photographs were presented to the Franklin County Historical Society in 2013 included photos of the theater from the early 20th century. Newspaper stories published in 1905 describe movies being shown by Fred Beeler in the building now occupied by the Plaza Grill and Cinema. "The newspaper editor apparently was a big movie fan because he wrote many articles about what a wonderful cultural enrichment the movies were and what a fascinating and safe place for children during matinee showings," said Deb Barker, executive director of the Franklin County Historical Society. The Historical Society hopes to market the theater as a tourist destination.[2]
References
- ↑ Carter, Doug (27 September 2013). "‘Cinemagic’ find". Ottawa Herald. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
- ↑ "Kansas movie theater discovers it is the oldest operating theater in America". plazacinemaottawa.com. Plaza Cinema. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2017.