Downtown Springfield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Jewell Theater

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 5, 2021

1. Jewell Theater Marker

Inscription.
On this site stood the Jewell Theater. Originally known as the Jefferson. Erected ca. 1910 by Harry S. Jewell this was the home of the nationally telecast Ozark Jubilee seen on ABC-TV from 1954 thru 1960. Starring musical legend Clyde Red Foley the Jubilee favorably introduced millions of viewers to talented Ozarkers and inspired those viewers to travel to the Ozarks where they experienced the beauty of Springfield and the entire area

Erected 1988 by a friend of the Ozarks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 37° 12.526′ N, 93° 17.386′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Missouri, in Greene County. It is in Downtown Springfield. It is on South Jefferson Avenue south of East St. Louis Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at Jubilee Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 S Jefferson Ave, Springfield MO 65806, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and

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in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Colonial Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); John T. Woodruff (within shouting distance of this marker); Rotary, Springfield, and the Birth of Route 66 (within shouting distance of this marker); Gillioz Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Netter-Ullman Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Store in Greene County (about 500 feet away); St. Paul United Methodist Church (about 600 feet away); First Post Office in Springfield (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

More about this marker. Marker was originally close to the intersection of McDaniel and Jefferson, but has moved farther north of the park.

Also see . . .
1. Ozark Jubilee on Wikipedia. this was the first network

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 5, 2021

2. Jewell Theater Marker

Located at Jubilee Park

television program to feature country music stars, and to have significant national viewership. It was noted for exposing female musicians and African American talent on TV, something that was not common at the time. Top country music acts that guest-starred on Jubilee included Patsy Cline, Eddy Arnold and Gene Autry, and making stars of Brenda Lee and Carl Perkins. But by 1960, ABC decided to cancel the show mostly due to the publicity of Red Foley's battles with the IRS. (Submitted on April 11, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. Jewell Theatre. From cinematreasures.com, this features photos and brief history of the legendary building. Just a few months after Ozark Jubilee's cancellation, the theater was demolished in February 1961. (Submitted on April 11, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Additional keywords. country music, tv show, television show

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 23, 2026

3. Jewell Theater Marker

Marker has moved several feet from its original location. It is now next to the Birthplace of Route 66 shield.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,812 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on September 24, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.