The historic Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs, Kansas, will reopen in July after it underwent nine years of renovations by a local couple. The Joplin Globe reported: A retired Caterpillar manager, Ron Puckett, 74, did much of the work himself after the couple bought the building at the northwest corner of 12th Street and Military … Continue reading Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs to reopen next month
Category: Theaters
New Mexico aims to help old theaters
The state of New Mexico is trying to fix up movie theaters in small towns not only for the sake of historic preservation, but also to give an economic boost. The Associated Press reports: An economic development program, similar to efforts in Iowa and Illinois, seeks save the often-forgotten facilities [...] with help on refurbishing … Continue reading New Mexico aims to help old theaters
New Route 66-inspired sculpture dedicated in Albuquerque
"Reels and Wheels," a new public art sculpture in front of the historic Hiland Theatre, recently was dedicated in Albuquerque. According to KRQE-TV: The art piece serves a dual purpose as art and as the ABQ Ride bus shelter for the bus stop that sits directly in front of the Hiland Theater on Central. Riders … Continue reading New Route 66-inspired sculpture dedicated in Albuquerque
Coleman Theatre vandalized
Workers at the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, on Wednesday found broken windows in the Route 66 landmark because of someone shooting a BB gun. KOAM-TV reported: Coleman Theatre Managing Director Shannon Duhon says the vandalism is a disgrace to a historic building that has been the crown jewel of Miami for nearly ninety years. … Continue reading Coleman Theatre vandalized
Maplewood Big M proposed on Route 66
The St. Louis suburb of Maplewood, Missouri, wants to use a giant letter M, plus other letters that stood on a theater's marquee, as a gateway into the city at Manchester Road, also known as an early alignment of Route 66 in the St. Louis area. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The 90-year-old porcelain … Continue reading Maplewood Big M proposed on Route 66
Sky View Drive-In has new owners
The Paul family owned the Sky View Drive-In Theatre along Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, for the last 30 years. By early March, another family in Litchfield also will own the theater. The Sky View is under contract to be bought by two husband-and-wife teams -- Nick and Mindy Pastrovich, plus Mike and Debbie Pastrovich. Mike and Debbie … Continue reading Sky View Drive-In has new owners
County’s Pecos Theatre purchase finalized
Guadalupe County officially struck a deal to buy the closed Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, according to last week's print edition of The Communicator, based in Santa Rosa. The newspaper reported the county signed a purchase agreement of $60,000 from longtime owner Rudy "Spider" Sanchez. The theater, however, will need an estimated $700,000 in upgrades before it … Continue reading County’s Pecos Theatre purchase finalized
Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming
The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, is marking the 20th anniversary of the homecoming of itsMighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. The organ was built in 1928 and installed at the theater before its opening a year later, reported the Joplin Globe. One of the heroes in the Mighty Wurlitzer's rebirth two decades ago was a Texan … Continue reading Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming
100 years of drive-in theaters in one map
The first of many drive-in theaters opened in New Mexico in 1914. More than 100 years later, someone has compiled an interactive map that shows more than 4,600 drive-in theaters built in the United States. Below is a screen capture of the map, but the direct link to it is here (the map may take several … Continue reading 100 years of drive-in theaters in one map
Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again
The neon lights of the Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City glowed with life for the first time in nearly five years Friday as a preview for its spring reopening as a performance venue and bars. The Associated Press reported: Scott Marsh, chief operations officer at Levelland Productions, is planning a “soft opening” by early April for … Continue reading Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again