Tuesday, December 10, 2024
In nearby McGregor, the Texas Theater, which has been closed since 1983, might be re-opened in the next few years.
The building dates to 1912 when it first opened as an opera house. It was reported that “Cowboy Stars” would occasionally perform on the stage – sometimes on horseback.
When the building received its present name of the Texas Theater in 1936, movies had begun to be shown there. It was also reported that new seats had been installed downstairs.
The Library of Congress mentioned that, with the advent of television, the theater gradually became a weakened operation. It was also mentioned that on July 12, 1975, to kick off the nation’s bicentennial year, then owner Henry Smith ran a nostalgic 10-cent movie price and sold 10-cent popcorn and a soda.
In 1982, lacking customers to stay open, Smith closed the doors of the 70-year-old theater.
The long, dark Texas Theater has the distinction of being the oldest standing specifically built motion picture and vaudeville theater structure in the state.
Ownership of the Texas was conveyed to the Texas Museum of Theatre and Broadcast by the generosity of the Henry “Red” Smith family in 2007. The Smith family were the owners and operators of the theater since it was built in 1912.
The Texas Museum of Theatre and Broadcast is an educational and community service, non-profit institution. Its purpose is to document and preserve the past, record and educate in the present, and provide perspective and inspiration for the future through the collection and exhibition of objects of scientific, historic, and artistic value to the theatre and broadcast industries and the free enterprise system.
Located in the Texas Theater, the original 35mm projection systems are still in place and ready for use. Additionally, the booth will be equipped to project motion pictures with the new and current digital technology. With some donations, the theater’s roof has been sealed, stopping the incursion of water and halting deterioration. The deteriorated and crumbling “air cooler” building on the back of the theater was demolished. Vintage theater seating has been obtained and the restoration process has been completed on many seats by the skilled local artisans of the Southern Furniture Company.
The vision for the Texas is to restore the theater and to enhance its capabilities to not only present motion pictures, but also to be an event and performance venue to serve the community. To learn more about the restoration process of the Texas Theater, visit their website at https://savethetexas.org/
