Built in 1924, the theater was opened as a vaudeville house by Ed Kuykendall, who was president of both the Mississippi Theater Owners Association and the National Motion Picture Theater Owners of America. The Princess showed both the first “talkie” movie and the first “in-color” movie in the state of Mississippi and has been featured in several books and documentaries dealing with ghosts and other paranormal activities. It is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in Columbus. At one time, the northern end, now a coffee shop, was Steve’s Café, which was a popular spot to slide onto a stool, order a cup of coffee and chat with the “good ole’ boys” at the counter.
