Historic District in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Bijou Theater

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

1. The Bijou Theater Marker

Inscription.
The Bijou was Wilmington's first movie theater when it opened as a tent on this site in 1906. James "Foxy" Howard and P.W. Wells, two veteran theatrical performers, formed the Howard & Wells Amusement Company, leased this lot from J.W. Murchison, and began showing movies in a tent. The tent version of the Bijou, with sawdust on the ground, held a screen and some 300 folding chairs. The theater is reputed to be the first permanent moving picture theater in North Carolina.

On May 30, 1912, the new Bijou Theatre opened its doors to the public. Over the next forty-plus years, it played host to the popular movies and serials of the day. By the 1950s, the popularity of television began to reduce movie audiences and the Bijou closed its doors for the last time on May 29, 1956. The building was torn down in 1963 and all that remains is a small piece of the colorful tile floor with the name "Bijou" on it.

Beverly Tetterton, Historical Researcher, Project Consultant

Erected 2021 by City of Wilmington.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1912.

Location. 34° 14.284′ N, 77°

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

56.953′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on North Front Street north of Chestnut Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Bijou Park, a courtyard pocket park at the former site of the Bijou Theater. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 North Front Street, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Murchison National Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); I. Shrier Lyceum Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Vance Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Peterson & Rulfs Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Shrier Building (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Post Office & Federal Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hotel Cape Fear (about 400 feet away); Park Avenue — Post Office Alley (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. The Bijou Theater.

The new Bijou opened on May 30, 1912. It had seats for 600 white patrons on its main floor, and had 200 seats for black patrons in its balcony. The balcony was raised and expanded in 1922, but the new seating capacity is not mentioned. In the 1940’s, the Bijou Theater was operated by Paramount Pictures
New Hanover County Public Library

2. Marker detail: Bijou Theater Façade, c. 1920
Inc. thru their subsidiary H.F. Kincey.

(Submitted on June 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Bijou Park officially opens to the public after ribbon cutting.

The location used to be home to the Bijou Theatre, the first movie theatre in the city. Bijou Theatre was also North Carolina’s first permanent “moving picture” theatre. It opened in 1906 as a tent with 300 folding chairs inside. In 1912, the doors to the first structured movie theatre opened to the public, and after 44 years, it was eventually shut down. The city decided to keep the only remaining piece of the theatre, which is part of the original floor. It can be found on the ground at the entrance of the park. It has the name “Bijou” spelled out in tiles.

(Submitted on June 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Bijou Theater Before Demolition, 1963 image. Click for full size.

New Hanover County Public Library

3. Marker detail: Bijou Theater Before Demolition, 1963

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

4. The Bijou Theater Marker

(marker is in Bijou Park • North Front Street is on right)

Preserved Bijou Theater Entrance Tile image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

5. Preserved Bijou Theater Entrance Tile

(Bijou Park and marker are in background)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

6. Bijou Park

(looking west across North Front Street • former site of The Bijou Theater)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,040 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.