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CIVIC AUDITORIUM

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1939, E. L. Malvaney. 506 E. 2nd St.

Jackson architect E. (Edgar) L. Malvaney (1896–1970) described this monolithic concrete auditorium built with WPA labor as “conservative modern,” what is now typically classified as Moderne. The symmetrical two-story facade’s rubbed surface focuses attention on a central incised bas-relief depicting an Indian woman holding an Art Deco skyscraper. Rounded corner entrances are framed by abstract fluted pilasters and feature shallow curved canopies, glass-block transoms, and ribbed panels with steel awning windows above. The county health clinic originally occupied the west side, and an armory was added at the rear during World War II. The auditorium held the annual Cotton Carnival, and its stage hosted three Elvis Presley concerts in 1955.

At 405 E. 2nd, the Italian Romanesque Revival First United Methodist Church (1916, Charles O. Pfeil) has a tall square core with gabled wings and an octagonal lantern. Inside, the preaching-centered auditorium plan has balconies on three sides. John H. Pritchard designed the education building (1954)

Writing Credits

Author: 
Jennifer V.O. Baughn and Michael W. Fazio with Mary Warren Miller
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Data

What's Nearby

OLD UNION BUS TERMINAL
MCWILLIAMS BUILDING
DELTA BLUES MUSEUM (YAZOO AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DEPOT)
COAHOMA COUNTY HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER (CUTRER MANSION)
FRIENDSHIP AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL (AME) CHURCH

Citation

Jennifer V.O. Baughn and Michael W. Fazio with Mary Warren Miller, "CIVIC AUDITORIUM", [Clarksdale, Mississippi], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MS-02-DR38.

Print Source

Buildings of Mississippi, Jennifer V. O. Baughn and Michael W. Fazio. With Mary Warren Miller. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2021, 121-121.

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