Jackson's magnificent century theatre

Thursday, October 10, 1901, was one of the most anticipated days in the almost 200-year-history of the city of Jackson.

- FORREST LAMAR COOPER

It was a day until which many of the city’s citizens counted down the weeks, days, and hours. It was the day of the new Century Theatre’s grand opening. The city had been without a proper theater for almost a year and a half. The old three-story Robinson’s Opera House, located at 519 East Pearl St., had suffered a devastating fire during the summer of 1900. Although reconstructed, it never regained the prominence it once enjoyed. Even if it had been restored to its original 1880 design, it could never have competed with the opulent Century.

No theater constructed in the city, before or since could compare to the resplendent Century. Located at 510 East Capitol St., it quickly became the pride of Jackson. There were undoubtedly those who hoped and prayed for a perfect evening during the days approaching the opening. On Wednesday, the day before the opening, some doubts began to creep in about the weather. Meteorologist David Cox with the U.S. Weather Service in Jackson shares that his records indicate that the city was pelted with over an inch of rain on the day prior. Thursday started with a light shower; however by noon, it was gone, and with a high temperature of 74 degrees during the day, the evening could not have been nicer.

The city’s Daily Clarion-Ledger of October 11, 1901, carried a lengthy, detailed article about the formal opening under the headline “Opening of the Magnificent Century Theatre a Grand Success in Every Particular— A Most Brilliant Occasion…From a social standpoint, and as a historical effort, the opening was an eminent success.”