Edna Theatre
201 W. Main Street,
Edna,
TX
77957
201 W. Main Street,
Edna,
TX
77957
8 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 78 comments
I recently moved down to this area, and went out driving to go visit a historical site. My GPS took me right by this theater and it was such a stunning site I pulled over and took a pic. They still have save the edna theater on the marquee so I don’t know its status but it looks too good to let go. I’ll add the current pic.
The Edna Theatre became world-famous on Christmas Day (12/25/19) when the cinema was spotlighted on the top half of the front page of The New York Times with a full-color, four columns wide photo of the exterior. The image was part of a lengthy article describing how the small city of Edna has been overcoming the social and economic “fallout” from the closure of its Walmart store in 2018.
Marquee resembles that of the former LaSalle theater in Niagara Falls NY.
Well to keep you in the loop hi im roel oreo guevara and i work for aa buddy of mine and we arw here in edna today fixing the neon. Wed dec 7 2016 i love fixinand working on old theathers enjoy
Edna was designed by Houston/Rosenberg architect Ernest L. Shult. Not sure if he did the Alabama; probably not, actually.
Still seems to be up in the air. The guy that owns it now has plans but many other irons in the fire. Might be more of a live event center in the future. But, who knows?
Looks awesome…great pics! any updates on the restoration?
That is true. The guy that has it now said they were operational after all these years. When I was there, they turned over very smoothly. Would have loved to have seen the place in it’s prime.
Judging by the projection booth pictures, they were operating Brenkert model BX-60 projector heads on top of RCA 9030 sound heads.
I have a few interior shots taken a few years ago.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12335678@N00/sets/72157618157582490/
The Edna has a remarkable resemblance to the Alabama Theater in Houston, TX. By chance, does anyone have any interior shots of the Edna or know who the architect was?
Just added a new photo with the neon completed. Look in photo section. Seating will end up about 650 from the original 1000. The renovation is coming along great. The asbestos has been abated and encapsulated and the all clear has been given. The grand opening is still on target for late 2012 or early 2013.
A link on the Ganado Cinema page shows a photo of an old flyer advertising a “Boon Theatre” in Edna. Would that have been the one that burned down during World War II?
I LOVED the theater, and in the early 1990’s worked with a group to raise interest in hope of restoring it; delighted that although I’m no longer in Edna, a dream is coming true. Blessings to my friends there— Lina Hill Hybner
The Edna was sold last september and plans to re-open it as a live theater. The property next to the theater was just bought to have extra room for restrooms and dressing rooms along with set building for live musicals. The renovation has started with a planned late 2012 early 2013 opening. The same owner purchased the Lynn theater in Gonzales Texas which opens March 2012.
The Edna Theater is in the running for a $250,000 grant from Pepsi Refresh. Please go to the link below to vote daily and please tell others as well!
http://www.refresheverything.com/ednatheater
From what I’ve seen of it, it had to be a very special, modern theater in it’s day. I wish them all the luck in the world.
From the Victoria Advocate, March 16, 1950:
New Theater At Edna Is Opened.
Edna, March 16â€"With true carnival spirit, some 3,000 or more citizens of Edna and the surrounding territory witnessed the opening of the new Edna Theatre here Tuesday night (March 14, 1950).
For eight years the people here have been attending the movies in a remodeled store building with a very limited seating capacity. The only theater burned down eight years ago and because of the war it was impossible to build another.
The new Edna Theatre, operated by J.G. Long Theatres, Inc., of Bay City, opens a new world for local movie-goers.
The theater is as modern as one can be built at this time.
Eighty tons of refrigeration will cool the theatre in summer and a large heating plant will make it equally as comfortable during the winter.
Previous to the opening a parade and band concert by the Edna Cowboy Band, conducted by R. J. Kluge, entertained the several thousand persons awaiting admittance. During a short dedicatory ceremony in the auditorium after the opening, L. O. Wallace of the Long organization acted as master of ceremonies and he introduced Glenn McClain of the Long chain, Mayor Harry Mauritz and Dr. R. E. Lee, president of the chamber of commerce of Edna, for short talks. Fred M. Smith was introduced as the manager of the new theatre.
In addition to the theatre, the Edna, the building also houses four business firms, including a modern grocery store. The theatre seats 1,000 and is reported to be one of the finest shows between San Antonio and Houston.
The premier feature was “Father Is a Bachelor†with William Holden and Coleen Gray.
Become a fan of the Edna Theatre Restoration Project on Facebook.
If you use 201 W. Main as the address, the theater shows up. Using Business 59 puts you some distance away.
Here is a Christmas Eve 2009 photo of the Edna. I hadn’t seen it at night before other than in pictures. Really special theater. T\Smythe, the owner of the Ganado theater has access to the theater if you are in the area. He has a neat theater too. He has a new sign and neon as of this past thanksgiving 09.
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The Theater is owned by a group in Jackson co. The restoration and future operations fall under the Texana Arts Council who have been working very hard this last year to bring the entire project from vision to reality. EmaI me for more info .
Excellent photographs “JohnS,” you brought back some memories. The last film I saw in the theater was Star Wars, back in 1977. Nevertheless, are you the owner? Will you be the one to refurbish/reopen the theater? If not, do you know who the owner is? I would be much like to get in contact with that person. I hope your evening goes well…
Great photos JohnS..thank you for sharing.
Here are some photos I took May 13, ‘09. Neat theater. Would have liked to have seen it when it was new.
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