Emporia Granada Theatre

Emporia Granada Theatre
Location 807 Commercial
Emporia, Kansas
Coordinates 38°24′28″N 96°10′48″W / 38.40778°N 96.18000°W / 38.40778; -96.18000Coordinates: 38°24′28″N 96°10′48″W / 38.40778°N 96.18000°W / 38.40778; -96.18000
Area less than one acre
Built 1929
Architect Boller Brothers
Architectural style Spanish Colonial Revival
NRHP reference # 85000693[1]
Added to NRHP April 04, 1985

The Granada Theatre is a theatre located in Emporia, Kansas, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and was designed by the Boller Brothers.

History

The Granada Theatre was constructed in 1929 at a cost of $350,000 ($4.99 million in 2017 dollars[2] ). The theatre was dedicated on October 3, 1929, in a speech by “The Sage of Emporia,” William Allen White. During its early years, the theatre attracted many famous performers. In addition to screening movies, it was used for everything from beauty contests to traveling vaudeville acts. It was leased for many years to the Fox Corporation and became known as the Fox Theatre.[3]

Architect Robert O. Boller, of Boller Brothers, Architects, designed the Granada Theatre. Boller Brothers were nationally known theatre designers with offices in Kansas City and Los Angeles.[3]

Like many grand old movie palaces of its era, the Granada’s popularity declined during the 1960s and 70′s. During this period, the building suffered from neglect and damage resulting from a leaking roof. It was closed in 1982. In April 1985, the theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, but, it was not until demolition threatened the building in 1994 that a group of citizens rallied to save the theatre.[3]

In cooperation with the Kansas Preservation Alliance, the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance was formed and acquired the building, saving it from destruction. Since then, the Alliance members and numerous volunteers have spent countless hours stabilizing and renovating the outside of the building and preparing for the interior phase of the project. Working cooperatively with other local arts, cultural and tourism organizations, the Alliance has developed a plan to make the Granada Theatre a keystone facility – a place that builds community.[3]

Emporia Granada Theatre Logo

Board of directors

When a group of people, known as the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance, bought the Granada Theatre in 1994, they set up a Board of Directors to oversee everything done at the theatre. They raised money for renovating the theatre, as well. The Director of the Granada Theatre, Brian Williams, also reports to them.[4]

Full Board Membership: [4]

Notable performances

Wynonna Judd performing at the Theatre on July 24, 2016

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Granada Theatre's History
  4. 1 2 3 Emporia granada Theatre's Board of Directors
  5. ↑ Joseph Hall Returns for Christmas Show. May Concert was sold out.
  6. ↑ Oak Ridge Boys in Emporia 9 November 2012
  7. ↑ Bellamy Brothers Concert 5 September 2013
  8. ↑ Kelley Hunt
  9. ↑ Granger Smith/Earl Dibbles, Jr. Granger Smith
  10. ↑ Juice Newton & Exile
  11. ↑ Joe Diffie in Emporia
  12. ↑ Marty Stuart
  13. ↑ Lorrie Morgan
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.