Rodgers Theatre was most modern in region

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

Poplar Bluff was still a small town in the 1940s, but its downtown was fabulous. Numerous stores lined the brick streets. Three motion picture theaters (Criterion, Jewel and Strand theaters) and an opera house were within walking distance of each other. So, in 1949 why did Walter Rodgers decide to build another theater?

Walter already owned the Criterion and Jewel theaters, as well as theaters in Caruthersville, Cairo, Anna, Carbondale and Blytheville. He continued to invest in the small town. “I believe in the future of Poplar Bluff,” Walter stated to the DAR. He wanted Poplar Bluff to have the finest motion picture theater in the land. In 1949 he built the Rodgers Theatre. It was proclaimed to be the most modern movie palace between St. Louis and Memphis. The Rodgers opened with the movie “Red Canyon” on June 1, 1949. Walters dreams and ambitions were finally realized. He came a long way after showing hand cranked nickelodeon movies in the St. Louis parks in 1896.

The Rodgers Theatre has survived where all the other theaters have disappeared. It is one of Poplar Bluff’s most famous landmarks. It is still functioning as a community theater. The Poplar Bluff Museum proudly displays one of its classic movie projector lamps circa 1938. Donated by Phil Childress, the giant lamp is located in the Butler County Historical Society Room, along with original theater seats also donated by Mr. Childress.

The Museum is handicap accessible and open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 N. Main St., Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.