19 Oct dave felling kodachrome images documenting meticulous extraction of rivoli theater facade during its demolition in 1983
kodachrome images of charles k. ramsey’s caesar’s cafe (1896), located at 210 north 6th street, st. louis, mo.
Rivoli Theater, Sixth Street south of Olive Street. Night view. photograph by Persons, W.C., 1925. Missouri History Museum Photographs and Prints Collections. Theaters. n20490.
from 1915-1922 it was the known as the royal theater, then rivoli theater from 1922-1970, and finally towne theater until 1983, when it was demolished to make way for the metropolitan square building.
the theater was altered in 1922 by the rivoli theater company with new facade (comprised of sgraffito concrete tiles and terra cotta), upgraded ventilation system, and additional seating.
the majoirty of the facade and 8 interior hand-painted canvas murals (2 being 40 feet in length) of reclining nudes were salvaded during its demolition in 1983.
it was one of the last standing porn theaters in st. louis at the time of demolition.
