The Bijou Theatre is also known as the Lamar House/Bijou Theatre. It is located on Gay Street, the original commercial thoroughfare in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Nickname: Location within the U.S. State of Tennessee Coordinates: Cities in Tennessee Tennessee Government  - Mayor Bill Haslam (R) Area  - City 254. ... A typical plaque showing entry on the National Register of Historic Places. ...

It was originally constructed by Thomas Humes in 1818 as a tavern and hotel, and was known as the Lamar House. It's use as a hotel continued until 1870. It was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War; Union General William P. Sanders died at the Lamar House after being wounded in the Battle of Knoxville. It has also hosted five United States Presidents - Presidents Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes were amongst them. The Bijou Theatre was added in 1909, and this auditorium is notable for it's rich gilt ornament. It has been used for opera, comedy, vaudeville and, at it's low point, pornography. The Marx Brothers and Dizzy Gillespie are among those who have performed in the main auditorium. 1818 (MDCCCXVIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar. ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight against each other for the control of political power. ... For other uses, see Andrew Jackson (disambiguation). ... Ulysses S. Grant[2] (born Hiram Ulysses Grant, April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American general and the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). ... Rutherford Birchard Hayes (October 4, 1822 – January 17, 1893) was an American politician, lawyer, military leader and the 19th President of the United States (1877–1881). ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The New Opera in Oslo, Norway The Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Groucho, Gummo, Minnie (mother), Zeppo, Frenchy (father), Chico and Harpo. ... John Birks Dizzy Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was born in Cheraw, South Carolina. ...

Knoxville Heritage purchased the building in 1976, and renovated it as a center for the performing arts. The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation now operates the facility. The main auditorium seats over 700 people, and includes a restaurant and offices. 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ...

References

• Isenhour, Judith Clayton. Knoxville - A Pictorial History. (Donning, 1978), pages 108-109.
• Knoxville: Fifty Landmarks. (Knoxville: The Knoxville Heritage Committee of the Junior League of Knoxville, 1976), page 15.

External links

• http://www.knoxbijou.com/info.htm