Fire damages historic theater on Beale
The Historic Daisy as seen in 2008. (Daily Memphian file)
An early morning fire damaged the Historic Daisy on Beale Street Wednesday, but there were no injuries reported, according to a Memphis Fire Department spokesperson.
The fire began around 1:50 a.m., MFD’s Qwanesha Ward said, in the stage area of the theater at 329 Beale St. Fire officials believe the fire was accidental and sparked by an electrical system.
The Daisy, as it was then known, opened in 1913. It served many purposes over the years, but when Beale Street was the hub of Memphis’ Black community, the “Old” Daisy, as it came to be known, was a prominent stop on the “Chitlin’ Circuit” of Black performers.
It was largely supplanted as a performance venue when the New Daisy opened across the street in the 1930s. Today, the Old Daisy mostly plays host to private events.
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Old Daisy Beale Street Memphis Fire Department New Daisy TheatreJody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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