Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Saenger Theatre
Opening night, January 19, 1927, saw crowds gather to hear local dignitaries praise Mobile's "Place of Entertainment". Today the Saenger Theatre remains the entertainment center of downtown. Designed by Emile Weil in the French Renaissance style, it's ornate decorations recall the mythology of ancient Greece blended with coastal ornaments such as seahorses and shells. Constructed as a home to vaudeville and silent movies, the Theatre was one of several hundred movie houses owned by Julian and Abe Saenger of Louisiana. The Theater retains its splendid interior with a massive chandelier, monumental gilded columns flanking the stage, and new murals in the stair lobby. The exterior features an elaborately sculpted arch over the entrance with classical urns along the parapet and decorative masonry gracing the facade.
Erected by the City of Mobile.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is January 19, 1884.
Location. 30° 41.451′ N, 88° 2.63′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. Marker is on South Joachim Street, 0.1 miles south of Dauphin Street, on the right. Banner on light pole. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 South Joachim Street, Mobile AL 36602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nicola Marschall Residence (a few steps from this marker); Wallace Turnage (within shouting distance of this marker); On this Spot Woodrow Wilson Said: (within shouting distance of this marker); WALA-TV, Channel 10 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Portier House (about 500 feet away); To Jean Baptiste LeMoyne (about 500 feet away); Mobile City Limits (about 500 feet away); It Takes a Village (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.
Also see . . .
1. History of Mobile Saenger Theatre. (Submitted on July 30, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Wikipedia article on theatre. (Submitted on July 30, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 676 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.