Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Columbus’ First Theater
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Early Theaters
Photographed by David Seibert, August 25, 2009
1. Columbus’ First Theater Marker
Columbus' First Theater. A pioneer theatrical entrepreneur, Sol Smith, 1801-1869, built many theaters in the Deep South, including New Orleans and Mobile and the first permanent theater west of the Mississippi in St. Louis, a city that he and partner Noah Ludlow dominated. Smith came to Columbus in 1831 to a primitive log structure in the 800 block of Broadway, which builder Asa Bates had completed in one week. “Pizzaro” was his company’s first production there. Later, Smith toured Georgia’s theater circuit accompanied by friend Mirabeau B. Lamar, founding editor of the Columbus Enquirer and later second president of the Republic of Texas.
Early Theatres. The Springer Opera House, 1871, was the sixth legitimate theater in downtown Columbus. Previous were the Sol Smith, Crawford Street, Lyceum, Concert Hall and Temperance Hall. The early theatrical circuit followed the Old Federal Road through Columbus, as did many well known personalities like English novelist William Makepeace Thackeray and Swedish violinist Ole Bull. During an 1850 visit here by the Canning Company, its manager accidentally wounded John Wilkes Booth,
this page online
Erected 2002 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Historic Columbus Foundation, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location. 32° 27.693′ N, 84° 59.581′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. It is on Broadway 0.1 miles 8th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 828 Broadway, Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. 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, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America,
Photographed by David Seibert, August 25, 2009
2. Side 2: Early Theatres Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Joseph House (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Residences (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Home of the Huff Sisters (about 500 feet away); Lummus Cotton Gins (about 500 feet away); The Columbus Guards (about 500 feet away); Empire Mills (about 600 feet away); Origin of Memorial Day (about 600 feet away); Garrett and Sons / Cargill-Wright Company (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Photographed by David Seibert, August 24, 2009
3. Columbus’ First Theater Marker
Looking north on Broadway toward 9th Street and Columbus' business and financial district
Photographed by David Seibert, August 25, 2009
4. Side 2: Early Theatres Marker
The Joseph House (c. 1842) is in the background
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,998 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 29, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
