Erie Theatre

117 W. Jackson Street,
Hugo, OK 74743

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Lindy
Lindy on February 27, 2024 at 7:30 pm

The ERIE has been demolished. See latest photo 27 February 2024.

Lindy
Lindy on April 27, 2021 at 6:07 pm

Two previous locations of the early years ERIE in Hugo: 116 E Jackson St (ca.1911 and current location of HR Block) and 114 W Jackson St (ca.1914), which is directly across the street from the final location at 117 W. Jackson St. As of April, 2021, the ERIE’s abandoned structure still exists, though demolition is said to be imminent.

drjohnwilson
drjohnwilson on February 10, 2021 at 4:26 pm

Hello theater historians!

I am compiling a book for History Press about early theaters in Oklahoma. Can anyone send me a photograph of the Eirie at 300 dpi? FULL CREDIT will be given' Thank you, Dr. John Wilson, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 20, 2019 at 3:25 pm

This item is from the October 4, 1919 issue of The Moving Picture World:

“Gill Building a $40,000 House.

“O. Gill, of Hugo, Okla., is constructing a new theatre which will seat 800 persons and cost $40,000. It will be called the Erie Theatre and will take the place of the old Erie Theatre.”

O. Gill is mentioned in quite a few trade journals in the 1910s and 1920s, having been Hugo’s movie theater mogul during the period.

Lindy
Lindy on October 19, 2019 at 9:54 pm

Should be shown as 640 seats.

Lindy
Lindy on July 5, 2019 at 1:25 am

Burn scars are still visible from the arson attempt in 1933: behind the screen area and under the alternate stairway access to the upper levels, east side of building.

Lindy
Lindy on July 5, 2019 at 1:06 am

An interesting legal document re: William Weaver and his accomplices overturning their conviction for the attempted arson of the Erie in 1933. Of course they were guilty as sin! https://law.justia.com/cases/oklahoma/court-of-appeals-criminal/1936/52094.html

_davidb
_davidb on December 16, 2013 at 12:49 am

I was the projectionist for the last film shown in 1965 on the night the steel support beam holding up the marquee collasped.

Lindy
Lindy on August 7, 2013 at 5:45 pm

The Erie actually moved from east Jackson St (the Kirkpatrick bldg) to its permanent location on west Jackson street sometime around 1913/1914. Mr. O. Gill acquired the theatre in 1914 and continued as its owner/operator until the Griffith Amusement Co lease commenced in March of 1933.

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on April 3, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Shame on them for covering that original Craftsman exterior with a crappy false front
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/406

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on August 7, 2009 at 11:49 pm

The 1924 map of downtown Hugo to which Okie Medley linked above has been moved Here. You can also fetch any of the other photos in dead rootsweb links by changing the domain in their url from rootsweb.com to okgenweb.org.

seymourcox
seymourcox on August 26, 2007 at 10:21 pm

Sharp period photos of the Erie exterior and interior leave no dought as to what this theatre looked like before and after the remodel job. To see images type in word “erie” …
View link

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 5, 2007 at 7:58 pm

Here are proceedings against one William Weaver, who allegedly torched the Erie in May 1933:
http://tinyurl.com/2atbtv

Okie
Okie on July 15, 2006 at 5:02 pm

This 1924 downtown map shows the location of two Hugo early day movie houses, lot 117-Erie Theatre, and lot 110-Ritz Theatre
View link

Okie
Okie on July 15, 2006 at 10:48 am

This link will take you to a 1938 photo of Hugo’s Erie Theatre;
View link

and here are images of Hugo’s Dixie Theatre -
sidewalk view
View link
facade view
View link

William
William on June 1, 2006 at 9:40 am

For more info look at the Mac Theatre.

xxx
xxx on May 29, 2006 at 12:00 pm

Still winter quarters to Carson-Barnes Circus, Hugo was once the off season respite for fifteen different cirus units. Take a look at this link to learn about Showmen’s Rest Reprieve;
View link

Lindy
Lindy on February 1, 2006 at 7:55 pm

The open dates I previously listed were a little inaccurate. The Erie actually opened in 1919 and closed the first time in 1965. During most of those years it was owned by the Griffith Amusement Co., later known as Griffith Consolidated Theatres and also Video Independent Theatres. The dates listed on the Erie’s second incarnation, 1969-1982, are correct.