The original Showboat was torn down in the 1990’s by the city because it was considered dangerous and too costly to renovate. A new pavilion/banquet hall was built on the site and hosts parties and civic gatherings. When a new multiscreen cinema was opened in another part of Texas City in the 1970’s, interestingly near the site of what once was the Tradewinds Drive In Theater, the Showboat closed for good. I remember seeing my first movie, “Pinocchio” at the Showboat as a small child in the early 70’s. Don’t remember much about the movie, just the huge, at least through a child’s eyes, Showboat designed into the terrazzo floor in the lobby of the theater.
BTW, I forgot to mention that the new pavilion, as you see in the photo posted earlier, is a smaller replica of the original theater.
The original Showboat was torn down in the 1990’s by the city because it was considered dangerous and too costly to renovate. A new pavilion/banquet hall was built on the site and hosts parties and civic gatherings. When a new multiscreen cinema was opened in another part of Texas City in the 1970’s, interestingly near the site of what once was the Tradewinds Drive In Theater, the Showboat closed for good. I remember seeing my first movie, “Pinocchio” at the Showboat as a small child in the early 70’s. Don’t remember much about the movie, just the huge, at least through a child’s eyes, Showboat designed into the terrazzo floor in the lobby of the theater.