The banner headline on the front page of the Needles Nugget newspaper dated Friday, February 15, 1929 read, “New $60,000 Theatre Bldg.†The accompanying article related that the new building, at the corner of F Street and Broadway will house a Theatre with the most modern “talkie†equipment of the age. The plans also include a pipe organ, the “latest†stage equipment, and the “smartest†of furnishing. The Masonic Temple occupied the 2nd floor.
In early March of 1929, the Masons led a five-day stock campaign that closed with $72,550 in signed applications, a truly amazing feat for the time period, and for a town the size of Needles.
The final building contracts were signed in late July of 1929, and the Theatre opened for business on March 1, 1930. Total cost of the building was estimated to be $120,000.
Mr. C.A. Simons, the proprietor of the Liberty Theatre, was given a long-term lease of the 1st floor. Mr. Simons also sub-let the two downstairs shops. The shop on the east side of the Theatre housed Simons Real Estate and the west side housed The Sweet Shoppe.
The history of the Theatre is being developed and cataloged on an ongoing basis. We know that the building had a water based heating and cooling system that was very modern for the day. Not only did the Theatre have a nice sized cinema screen, but it also included a full stage with orchestra pit. We know that in the early years that several performance troupes of the day appeared at our Theatre. The Theatre showed 4 single movies a week, and they were all first run. Occasionally a short film or cartoon would be included. The cost of a child’s admission was 15 cents, with adult tickets ranging from 35 to 50 cents. The Miss Needles contest was held at the Theatre in later years, and community-based music and dance recitals were held there. The Fort Mohave Indian Band performed on a regular basis on the weekends on a bandstand located in the street outside of the Theatre. One long time resident recounted the story that when Gone With the Wind showed at the Theatre, the line to buy admission “went way up around the block!â€
At some point in time, the stage was extended out over the orchestra pit, and then a false wall was built to hold a much larger cinema screen, and at least 1/3 of the seating capacity was reduced.
The Theatre closed its doors sometime in the early to mid 1980’s. Heavily damaged by fire in the 1990’s, the building was donated to the Needles Chamber of Commerce by the Masons. The fire insurance policy held by the Masons secured a replacement roof, and the Chamber took steps to exclude the roosting areas set up by multiple pigeons.
Rodney and Kirsten Mouton purchased the property from the City of Needles and escrow closed on 2-20-06.
At the present time, debris is being hauled away, and a general clean up of the inside of the building is taking place. The extension built out from the stage has been removed and the old orchestra pit has been uncovered. The room has been returned to its original full dimensions. The original stage and surrounding artwork is intact but it has suffered smoke damage. The overall integrity of the structure is good as it is constructed of concrete and steel. The construction was quite a marvel in 1929.
The outside of the building has been repainted and the original ironwork reinstalled. All of the original window casings are intact.
Fund raising events are being held by the Friends of the Needles Theatre and it is anticipated that the marquee and the neon theatre sign will be restored in the near future.
The banner headline on the front page of the Needles Nugget newspaper dated Friday, February 15, 1929 read, “New $60,000 Theatre Bldg.†The accompanying article related that the new building, at the corner of F Street and Broadway will house a Theatre with the most modern “talkie†equipment of the age. The plans also include a pipe organ, the “latest†stage equipment, and the “smartest†of furnishing. The Masonic Temple occupied the 2nd floor.
In early March of 1929, the Masons led a five-day stock campaign that closed with $72,550 in signed applications, a truly amazing feat for the time period, and for a town the size of Needles.
The final building contracts were signed in late July of 1929, and the Theatre opened for business on March 1, 1930. Total cost of the building was estimated to be $120,000.
Mr. C.A. Simons, the proprietor of the Liberty Theatre, was given a long-term lease of the 1st floor. Mr. Simons also sub-let the two downstairs shops. The shop on the east side of the Theatre housed Simons Real Estate and the west side housed The Sweet Shoppe.
The history of the Theatre is being developed and cataloged on an ongoing basis. We know that the building had a water based heating and cooling system that was very modern for the day. Not only did the Theatre have a nice sized cinema screen, but it also included a full stage with orchestra pit. We know that in the early years that several performance troupes of the day appeared at our Theatre. The Theatre showed 4 single movies a week, and they were all first run. Occasionally a short film or cartoon would be included. The cost of a child’s admission was 15 cents, with adult tickets ranging from 35 to 50 cents. The Miss Needles contest was held at the Theatre in later years, and community-based music and dance recitals were held there. The Fort Mohave Indian Band performed on a regular basis on the weekends on a bandstand located in the street outside of the Theatre. One long time resident recounted the story that when Gone With the Wind showed at the Theatre, the line to buy admission “went way up around the block!â€
At some point in time, the stage was extended out over the orchestra pit, and then a false wall was built to hold a much larger cinema screen, and at least 1/3 of the seating capacity was reduced.
The Theatre closed its doors sometime in the early to mid 1980’s. Heavily damaged by fire in the 1990’s, the building was donated to the Needles Chamber of Commerce by the Masons. The fire insurance policy held by the Masons secured a replacement roof, and the Chamber took steps to exclude the roosting areas set up by multiple pigeons.
Rodney and Kirsten Mouton purchased the property from the City of Needles and escrow closed on 2-20-06.
At the present time, debris is being hauled away, and a general clean up of the inside of the building is taking place. The extension built out from the stage has been removed and the old orchestra pit has been uncovered. The room has been returned to its original full dimensions. The original stage and surrounding artwork is intact but it has suffered smoke damage. The overall integrity of the structure is good as it is constructed of concrete and steel. The construction was quite a marvel in 1929.
The outside of the building has been repainted and the original ironwork reinstalled. All of the original window casings are intact.
Fund raising events are being held by the Friends of the Needles Theatre and it is anticipated that the marquee and the neon theatre sign will be restored in the near future.