Birth of the Rodgers Theatre

Thursday, May 30, 2019

St. Louis architect Hugo K. Graf was tasked during the late 1940s with creating the plans to build a new luxury movie theater in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The owners of the theater property were the Rodgers family of Illinois who ran other movie theaters in Poplar Bluff among a multi-state theater business. This gallery highlights early architectural drawings by Graf of the facade of the Rodgers Theatre along with final renderings showing the interior. Editor's note: The Friday, May 31 edition of the Daily American Republic will publish special stories and photos outlining the Rodgers Theatre 70th anniversary celebration and history.

Architect Hugo K. Graf rendering of the facade as we know it of the Rodgers Theatre. (Missouri State Historical Society)
Rodgers Theatre concessions area architectural drawing by architect, Hugo K. Graf. (Missouri State Historical Society)
Architectural drawing by Hugo K. Graf of the lounge and restroom areas of the Rodgers Theatre. (Missouri State Historical Society)
Hugo K. Graf architectural rendering of the Rodgers Theatre auditorium. (Missouri State Historical Society)

Daily American Republic ad from a special Rodgers Theatre grand opening section that published in the newspaper on May 31, 1949. (DAR/Archive)
Daily American Republic ad from a special Rodgers Theatre grand opening section that published in the newspaper on May 31, 1949. The drugstore entrance was under the portico entrance of the theater to the left of the main doors. (DAR/Archive)
Early Hugo K. Graf draft of the Rodgers Theatre facade without its iconic tower. (Missouri State Historical Society)
Early Hugo K. Graf draft of the Rodgers Theatre facade with a round tower option. (Missouri State Historical Society)
The Rodgers Theatre facade circa 1979. (John Margolies/Library of Congress)