Almost a year ago, we brought you the history of the Club Theater which once stood at the intersection of 4th and Joplin Street. Recent research has uncovered what we believe may be the only surviving exterior side view, or Joplin Street view of the Club Theater. Of course, we have to share! The image appears to be an architectural drawing for the building, which was constructed in 1891. Note the drawing appears to be the work of a Kansas City firm.
The Joplin Street view or side exterior view of the Club Theater
Most images of the theater that do exist show the building either looking at it from the entrance presented above on the right side of the drawing, or of its Fourth Street exterior. Below is an example of the former.
Photograph of the Club Theater taken some time before 1902.
By all appearances, it seems there was no real deviation at first glance from the drawing to the building. As noted in our prior post, the last remnant of the Club Theater vanished after a fire in 2003.
Source: Historic Joplin Collection
