Senate Resolution 53

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CENTENNIAL (100TH) ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE COLISEUM THEATRE IN CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, we join the citizens of Corinth, Mississippi, in celebrating the Centennial (100th) Anniversary of the establishment of the Coliseum Theatre, which is a historic theater in Corinth, Mississippi, and is a Mississippi Landmark designed by Benjamin F. Liddon; and

WHEREAS, constructed in 1924, the Coliseum Theatre stands as the largest theater edifice in North Mississippi. Originally established as a dual-purpose venue for vaudeville performances and motion pictures, it transitioned exclusively to a cinema during the mid-1970s. Subsequently, the City of Corinth undertook a restoration project to return the Coliseum to its initial grandeur; and

WHEREAS, with an intricately adorned interior featuring plaster molding, wall motifs, and accented marble wainscoting, the auditorium also boasts a sizable stained glass fixture that casts a warm, incandescent glow. Exhibiting Colonial Revival architecture, the exterior showcases a meticulously restored marquee and a vertical sign. In 1980, the Coliseum Theatre was recognized for its historical significance, and rightfully earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, the Coliseum Theatre has been and remains today the most impressive and monumental theatre space in Corinth, Mississippi. Seating 1,000 people on its main floor, mezzanine, and two-tiered balcony, the Coliseum is discreetly cosmopolitan in structure in a small-town grid. Strikingly, the asymmetrically front facade is accented by a two-story, three-centered entry arch and two smaller arched entries, one three-centered and the other semi-circular. The two frontal bays are defined by quion pilasters with entry being through the smaller right-hand bay. The floor pattern is an ell-shaped plan as the theater occupies approximately one-third of a city block. The building varies in height through eleven irregular spaced bays defined by plain brick pilasters. Constructed of brick in a Flemish bond, two shades of masonry are used to show separation between the entry pavilion and the auditorium, the former being of blonde brick and the latter being a darker brick. Windows on the second story of the front facade are of an undistinguished casement variety painted to match the brick. Overall, the Coliseum makes a generous urban gesture. The theatre respects the existing buildings while quietly declaring its own special nature; and

WHEREAS, the building is certainly worthy of recognition and preservation for historical reasons, as well as, for present day needs for the cultural, economic and educational development in the area. It also serves as a focal point for the current downtown revitalization program. There is not an auditorium of this quality in a 50-mile radius that will seat 999 people. Local concert, school, dance, civic, religious and theatre organizations use the facilities for their programs. Plans for adaptive use of the Coliseum Theatre, in addition to the original purposes, are to use it as an auditorium for lectures and special educational films for Corinth and Alcorn County Schools, small convention programs, Northeast Mississippi Museum lectures and Corinth Ministerial Association Community church services; and

WHEREAS, the Coliseum Theatre was designed and built by local architect, Benjamin Franklin Liddon, the grandson of a Corinth area pioneer, was a leader in cultural, educational and recreational development in Northeast Mississippi. He designed and constructed several notable buildings in Corinth during the early part of this century. Many traveling shows played the Coliseum in old vaudeville days. Several famous people played there, including the Dick Van Dyke show and later, Grand Ole Opry stars Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, and cowboy comic Smiley Burnett performed there. In silent screen days, the theatre was equipped with a theatre organ in the full orchestra pit. The theatre remained in possession of Mr. Liddon's family after his death and was successfully operated as a movie theatre until 1957. Then, his grandson, Alan Simmons, continued to run weekend and special films until the theatre's closing in 1977; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we honor the rich cultural heritage of our state and the historical significance of this North Mississippi architectural icon:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the Centennial (100th) Anniversary celebration of the Corinth Coliseum Theatre in Corinth, Mississippi, and extend our congratulations to the citizens of Northeast Mississippi on this landmark event.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Corinth, the Alcorn County Tourism Committee and representatives of the Coliseum Theatre Centennial Celebration and the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.