Chief Theatre

228 W. Coal Avenue,
Gallup, NM 87301

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Griffith Amusement Company

Architects: Jack M. Corgan, William J. Moore Jr.

Firms: Corgan & Moore

Functions: Retail

Styles: Pueblo Deco

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Chief Theatre

The Chief Theatre, on Coal Avenue, originally opened in 1920. It could seat 650. In 1936, the Chief Theatre was completely remodeled in Pueblo Deco style to the plans of architectural firm Corgan & Moore.. Its owner at the time was R.E. Griffith, brother of the famed Hollywood director D.W. Griffith. (R.E. Griffith also owned and operated the Navajo Theatre and the El Rancho Hotel).

Long closed as a movie house, the former Chief Theatre is now used as a retail shop specializing in Native American goods. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 and the State Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Contributed by Bryan

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

thegrinch
thegrinch on November 30, 2006 at 7:09 pm

I believe the Chief had a 3 or 4 rank Robeert Morton organ installed about 1922. Disposition is unknown. If anyone has more details on the organ and disposition I would like to hear from them. Don Story

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on August 22, 2021 at 1:28 am

Remodeled On August 20, 1936, reopening with “High Tension” along with a comedy entitled “Wife Of A Party”, and a Fox Movietone newsreel.

johnnyfly
johnnyfly on October 11, 2023 at 4:22 am

Cool cars back then.

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