DIXIE  .  Wonderland - ? 112 S. Main
 

Opened c. 1906   .    250 Seats  .  Closed c. 1909   

The Dixie was on the second floor and the entrance was accessed by an outside stairway.  This theater was run by the same organization that ran the Theatorium.  The entrance was either near or inside the old Waldorf Cafe that appears in early Memphis Postcards.  The Waldorf and the Dixie had the same address.  Billboard Magazines of the period contained updates which mention The Dixie - "The Palace, Theatorium, Amuse U, Dixie, Ruby, and Odeon are drawing good returns with songs and moving pictures".
 

From 1906-1909 the 112-116 S. Main buildings were Sturla's Hotel.  From 1909-1913 these addresses were The New Waldorf Hotel and Cafe.  Apparently the Dixie Theater took over the second floor of Sturla Hotel's building at 112 Main from 1906-1908. 

 

The Dixie is listed in the 1908 Memphis Directory at 112 S. Main, with Henry Wade, Proprietor ... and 250 seats.   There is a Dixie Theatre listed for 1 year in the 1906 Directory at 161 Hernando.  This one may have moved to 112 S. Main Street shortly afterwards. 

NOTE 1:   Below, on the first row, the photo on the right shows a "DIXIE" sign on South Main.  We now have indisputable proof that this Dixie is not a theatre.  It is a clothing store.   

NOTE 1:  In one photo below, a sign above the entrance  is clearly readable as "Wonderland" ,   It's roughly the same address as The Dixie and the architecture of the entrance is distinctly a "theatre design".  Yet, we have not been able to find any listing of a Wonderland Theatre or anything in print.  Perhaps it was an arcade that simply lasted one year?
 

1906  Billboard . 161 Hernando
 

1906  Billboard confirms date

1908 "The Freeman"  

112 S. Main

1909 Parade  "Dixie"  sign
 
 

Billboard 1908

Dixie  location today

NY Clipper 1906

  

Wonderland Theatre?
 

From Billboard 1907:  "...  Within the past twelve months the moving picture business has become quite a factor in the way of amusements in Memphis.  The first house of this sort to be opened in the city was the Theatorium, under the management of Mr. Dinstuhl, and in a short time no less than twenty of these theatres were scattered about the city.  By the introduction of singing and vaudeville acts with their moving pictures, the city imposed a license on these places of $400 per year, payable in advance.  The action put several smaller shows out of business, but those who remained included The Theatorium, The Amuse, Dixie,  Ruby, and The Odeon - all doing good business"
 
 
   

 

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