We could probably safely change the name of this theater to Centre Theatre.
Oklahoma weather can rarely be praised for encouraging historical preservation, but this is definitely an exception. The facade blowing off this old closed-down theater was probably the best thing that could have happened to it. The work done is stunning in person.
Visited here today and was able to locate a building that was obviously a theater. The business on the left is 208 W. Main and the building on the right is 214 W. Main., so that it would have to be 210 or 212 W. Main Street.
The building has wood paneling covering the original facade. The ticket booth has been removed, but you can still see its outline on the concrete. It appears as though it probably had a red/white tile design on the lower half of the building.
Universal Sign Company (two story brick building) is 115 N. Maple and the Golden China Restaurant is 127 N. Maple. Everything in between those two buildings looks pretty modern…Luxor demolished?
My photos were taken in 2005. I uploaded them now that we have the cool photo feature. I passed by in June 2011 and the site was still pretty much in the same condition as the 2005 photos as far as I could tell.
2012 Highway 29 N, Anderson, SC 29621 gets you very close to the theater. For some reason, spelling out “North” confuses Google.
The first street view is of the Yale, and it doesn’t look much like the historic photos as it appears the top of the building was rebuilt.
The second street view is off a bit. Its the building to the left of the white pickup. Red brick, strong white trim and a glass display area. That’s the State. Compare to the photos on the okhistory.cuadra.com website.
I’d link the photos on my site, but I had a database error and poof! I’ll get those photos back up as soon as possible.
From looking at the historic photo in the first post, I believe the reddish building that is 4 storefronts south of Foley Street on the east side of Main is the Chief. It looks like the unique corner building with the window box has been demolished. Any opinions?
I found a theater in the 1986 Polk City Director called the Mexican Theater at this location (listed as 227 SW 25th). Judging from photos presented above from the mid-80s, it doesn’t look like anyone bothered to change the signage to reflect this name, if in fact it was a legitimate theater.
The comments above are actually about the Cleveland Lakeside Drive-In. Here is a current link to the Pawnee drive-in page, though little information is on it to this point.
Just to throw some more uncertainty in, the Polk City Directory of 1951 lists it at 1001 NW Britton. I’ll try to drive by today and see if I can narrow it down.
Thank you for posting your amazing collection, Norman!
This theater is now closed. It has been replaced by a newer Carmike 8 one exit to the north on 12th Avenue.
We could probably safely change the name of this theater to Centre Theatre. Oklahoma weather can rarely be praised for encouraging historical preservation, but this is definitely an exception. The facade blowing off this old closed-down theater was probably the best thing that could have happened to it. The work done is stunning in person.
Visited here today and was able to locate a building that was obviously a theater. The business on the left is 208 W. Main and the building on the right is 214 W. Main., so that it would have to be 210 or 212 W. Main Street. The building has wood paneling covering the original facade. The ticket booth has been removed, but you can still see its outline on the concrete. It appears as though it probably had a red/white tile design on the lower half of the building.
Universal Sign Company (two story brick building) is 115 N. Maple and the Golden China Restaurant is 127 N. Maple. Everything in between those two buildings looks pretty modern…Luxor demolished?
The Nowata Country Jubilee is at 116 N. Maple.
My photos were taken in 2005. I uploaded them now that we have the cool photo feature. I passed by in June 2011 and the site was still pretty much in the same condition as the 2005 photos as far as I could tell. 2012 Highway 29 N, Anderson, SC 29621 gets you very close to the theater. For some reason, spelling out “North” confuses Google.
The first street view is of the Yale, and it doesn’t look much like the historic photos as it appears the top of the building was rebuilt.
The second street view is off a bit. Its the building to the left of the white pickup. Red brick, strong white trim and a glass display area. That’s the State. Compare to the photos on the okhistory.cuadra.com website.
I’d link the photos on my site, but I had a database error and poof! I’ll get those photos back up as soon as possible.
This theater has been demolished.
This theater has been demolished.
From looking at the historic photo in the first post, I believe the reddish building that is 4 storefronts south of Foley Street on the east side of Main is the Chief. It looks like the unique corner building with the window box has been demolished. Any opinions?
Google Street View of the suggested location:
http://tinyurl.com/237y88p
The Admiral Twin Drive-In has just burned down (fire started at 2 p.m. on 9/2/10).
View link
From that postcard, it looks like the theater was in the building that is now a H&R Block. H&R Block’s address is 320 E. Court St.
This one looks to have been closed and is for sale.
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/222
Pics:
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/1199
I found a theater in the 1986 Polk City Director called the Mexican Theater at this location (listed as 227 SW 25th). Judging from photos presented above from the mid-80s, it doesn’t look like anyone bothered to change the signage to reflect this name, if in fact it was a legitimate theater.
This theater is open.
Snapped some recent photos (2009):
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/625
Here are some new photos of the University:
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/475
The comments above are actually about the Cleveland Lakeside Drive-In. Here is a current link to the Pawnee drive-in page, though little information is on it to this point.
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/161
Updated link for Roadside Oklahoma:
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/172
Updated link:
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/113
Oops, was listed as the Britton Theater that year too.
Just to throw some more uncertainty in, the Polk City Directory of 1951 lists it at 1001 NW Britton. I’ll try to drive by today and see if I can narrow it down.
Mother nature is helping the restoration effort. Its nice to see that the original design is still present under the ugly facade.