Kay Theatre
350 N. Main Street,
Rockdale,
TX
76567
350 N. Main Street,
Rockdale,
TX
76567
1 person
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Related Websites
Kay Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Functions: Movies (Classic), Performing Arts
Styles: Quonset Hut, Streamline Moderne
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
512.446.5087
Manager:
512.760.7480
Nearby Theaters
The Kay Theatre opened on N. Main Street on November 27, 1947 with Jean Parker in “Rolling Home”. It was the smaller of Rockdale’s two movie houses (the larger being the Dixie Theatre). It was a Quonset Hut-style building, with Streamline Moderne façade and décor. The Kay Theatre had a small balcony, originally for the use of African-American patrons in the era of segregation. The Kay Theatre closed in 1962. It stood vacant for many years.
In 2004 group was organized, the Kay Theater Foundation, of Rockdale citizens who want to purchase and restore the long-vacant theatre for use as a performing arts center. The group’s goal was to raise $46,000 to acquire the theatre from its current owner. It is estimated restoring the Kay Theatre will cost at least $400,000.
The Kay Theatre was reopened in 2010.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
Glad to see some action on this theater. The last time I saw it a year or so ago, the front was covered in vines and the wood doors looked like they were about to rot off. However, when I went by there yesterday (12/02/06), the place had been cleaned up. The rotton doors were gone and a steel mesh up to keep folks out. The inside had been cleaned out and the theater looked like it was also cleaned up. No seats or screen but the place looked a lot better. Have always been curious about this place. Hope they can get the “fixin'” done. Looked bigger inside than I thought it would.
John
Here is what the theater looked like the day I saw it in Dec. 06.
View link
John
Other photos from that day.
View link
The Kay Theater has been painted and the front of the building has been enclosed. There are some coke machines inside and tables set up. Looks like for the convience of the workers. There was a plastic sheet blocking the view of the auditorium so don’t know what’s going on in there. These photos are as of Aug. 6 2009
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12335678@N00/?saved=1
The whole set of photos is in the link in the preceeding message.
John
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ksmhlj
Came across this ARTICLE about the restoration of the Kay Theatre. Enjoy!
RANDY A CARLISLE
A 2012 photo of the refurbished Kay Theater in Rockdale.
As of 9Jun2014, the theater has 2 a/c units and 2 new exits on each of the north and south sides of the building with a sidewalk linking them back to the front of the theater. Also, in 2013 a Texas Historical Marker was set in front of the building. It sure looks nice now. Current photos added under the “photos” tab above. Also it looks like neon was added to the face of the building around the sides and top of the face.
John
Updated website link: Kay