Columbia in Boone County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Varsity Theater - 1927

Cornerstones of Columbia

Photographed By Jason Voigt, June 25, 2024

1. Varsity Theater - 1927 Marker

Inscription.

Varsity Theater - 1927. Cornerstones of Columbia. Built as a three-story Renaissance Revival style theater with an elaborate window arcade along the top of the façade, this is the most elaborately ornamented building in the district and one of the more notable historic buildings in the entire downtown area., The Varsity is one of three historic theaters on Ninth Street, all designed by the Boller brothers of Kansas City, a theater design firm of some notoriety. Morris Construction Company, also of KC, served as the general contractor. Tom C Hall built the Star Theater on this site in 1915, but was replaced with the 1100 seat Varsity Theater in 1927. Newspaper accounts noted that the final cost of the theater project was $100,000. Mr. Hall also owned the Hall Theater as well as the Missouri Theater. The Varsity (and the Star) served as major vaudeville houses, as well as early "moving picture" theaters., Long after vaudeville faded from prominence, the Varsity became a major movie house in Columbia. In 1966 the theatre was renamed the Film Arts Theatre. The property sat vacant for many years until the late 1980's, when the Comic Book Club had a couple year run. In 1990, the Blue Note moved in from its location on Business Loop 70. In 2003, the Varsity was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been restored, and maintains its original character. Here is an advertisement for the Star Theater from the Columbia Missourian, February 26, 1915., The Varsity Theater was rebuilt on the site of the Star Theater in 1927. , Long after vaudeville faded from prominence, the Varsity became a major movie house in Columbia. In 1966 the theatre was renamed the Film Arts Theatre. The property sat vacant for many years until the late 1980's, when the Comic Book Club had a couple year run. In 1990, the Blue Note moved in from its location on Business Loop 70. In 2003, the Varsity was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been restored, and maintains its original character.

Built as a three-story Renaissance Revival style theater with an elaborate window arcade along the top of the façade, this is the most elaborately ornamented building in the district and one of the more notable historic buildings in the entire downtown area.

The Varsity is one of three historic theaters on Ninth Street, all designed by the Boller brothers of Kansas City, a theater design firm of some notoriety. Morris Construction Company, also of KC, served as the general contractor. Tom C Hall built the Star Theater on this site in 1915, but was replaced with the 1100 seat Varsity Theater in 1927. Newspaper accounts noted that the final cost of the theater project was $100,000. Mr. Hall also owned the Hall Theater as well as the Missouri Theater. The Varsity (and the Star) served as major vaudeville houses, as well as early "moving picture" theaters.

Long after vaudeville faded from prominence, the Varsity became a major movie house in Columbia. In 1966 the theatre was renamed the Film Arts Theatre. The property sat vacant for many years until the late 1980's, when the Comic Book Club had a couple year run. In 1990, the Blue Note moved in from its location on Business Loop 70. In 2003, the Varsity was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been restored, and maintains its original character. Here

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is an advertisement for the Star Theater from the Columbia Missourian, February 26, 1915.

The Varsity Theater was rebuilt on the site of the Star Theater in 1927.

Long after vaudeville faded from prominence, the Varsity became a major movie house in Columbia. In 1966 the theatre was renamed the Film Arts Theatre. The property sat vacant for many years until the late 1980's, when the Comic Book Club had a couple year run. In 1990, the Blue Note moved in from its location on Business Loop 70. In 2003, the Varsity was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been restored, and maintains its original character.

Erected 2017 by Central Bank of Boone County and the City of Columbia Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is February 26, 1915.

Location. 38° 57.129′ N, 92° 19.658′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Missouri, in Boone County. Marker is on North 9th Street north of East Broadway, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located at The Blue Note. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 N 9th St, Columbia MO 65201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Masonic Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Boone County Courthouse Columns

Photographed By Jason Voigt, June 25, 2024

2. Varsity Theater - 1927 Marker

Marker is mounted outside The Blue Note music venue

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lynching in America / The Lynching of George Bush (about 500 feet away); Boone County Bicentennial Monument (about 500 feet away); Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Building - 1937 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sharp End (approx. 0.2 miles away); Annie Fisher's House (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Sharp End (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

More about this marker. Marker was dedicated on July 24, 2017.

Regarding Varsity Theater - 1927. According to a Columbia-Missourian article, the "Cornerstones of Columbia" project was spearheaded by local historian Brent Gardner, whose vision was to put plaques on the city's most important and historical buildings. The theater (now the Blue Note) and the Ragtag Cinema building were the first two honored with a plaque. Gardner hoped that someday there would be a walking tour with markers, but since that time there have been no other "Cornerstone" plaques placed in Columbia.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.