Rozelle-Annesdale Historic District
Landmarks Guidelines
Lamar Theatre
The Lamar Theatre opened its doors in 1926, in the silent movie era. The theatre was original owned and opened by Joe Maceri and Paul Zorilla, who also ran the New Daisy and the Rialto Theatres. The theatre had a small stage surrounded on the left and right by a small organ chamber. The arched window, visible from the front and above the signs, opens into the projector booth. The theatre achieved much notoriety in the 1970's for being an adult theatre. It was later revamped into a family entertainment venue. The theatre has now been closed for over 20 years.
Rozelle School
The Eli Rayner House
The Eli Rayner house was built in 1856 for Eli Rayner. Eli Rayner was a well off cotton farmer. His farms were near Oakland, TN. He had the Eli Rayner house built to move his family to the city where the school system was better. The house has a late Greek Revival style. Its front columns have an elegantly proportioned fluted capped with lotus leaf design from Egypt in recognition of the original Memphis. The home has 13 foot ceilings. The second floor of the home has a cast-iron balcony. The kitchen was in a separate building, east of the main home. The front lawn contained a huge heart- shaped flower bed and was surrounded by a fence. The property also held several greenhouses, where he grew oranges, lemons, and a vast variety of flowers. He also had orchards on the property of apples, plums, and pears. During the Civil War, the Rayner family opened their property for posted Yankee soldiers in the area. The grove around the house made for a great campground for soldiers; and the Rayner's often invited officers in to dine. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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