Constantine Theater
110 W. Main,
Pawhuska,
OK
74056
110 W. Main,
Pawhuska,
OK
74056
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Video Independent Theaters Inc.
Functions: Live Performances
Styles: Greek Revival
Previous Names: Kihekah Theater
Nearby Theaters
The theater was originally built as the Pawhuska House Hotel in the 1880’s. In 1911, Mr. C.C. Constantine purchased the building and remodeled it into the elegant Constantine Theater which opened on December 12, 1914 with Annette Kellerman in “Neptune’s Daughter”. In late-1926 under new owners it was renamed Kihekah Theater. In July 1951 it was taken over by Video Independent Theatres Inc.
The theater was closed in 1970, after many profitable years. In 1987, a group of concerned citizens led by Eileen Monger, began a long, tedious renovation. It was renamed Constantine Theater with renovations now complete, operating as a live stage in the Greek Revival style building. It has a seating capacity of 589 and outstanding acoustics. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National League of Historic Theatres.
The Constantine Theater is also known for being haunted. According to witnesses, sounds of a bar-room brawl can be heard in the historic theater.
Contributed by
Lauren Grubb
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
The Constantine is currently being used for a variety of community events. When I visited it this summer, it featured a Native American speaker and was to host a number of other events later in the season. According to an active community member, the Constantine doesn’t show movies at this time. In fact, Pawhuska doesn’t have a movie theatre. The citizens of Pawhuska should be quite pleased with the restoration efforts. The lobby boasts a gold and burgandy color scheme featuring a brass chandelier. The exterior also features the gold and burgandy colors and is quite eye catching. I have photos to post asap.
At one time or another this cinema must have been known as the Kihikah Theatre. Look at this 1963 snapshot and see what you think, type in word “kihikah”, then search …
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The photo that Chuck posted on 4/9/06 as been moved to a new site:
http://tinyurl.com/5amjaq
Fabuloous vintage and modern photos of the beautiful Constantine Theater can be seen on the Roadside Oklahoma site,
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/588
This is what the neighborhood around the Constantine Theater looks like nowadays,
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Thanks Guys,nice history.
Mr. Constantine went bankrupt in 1926, and his theater changed hands. This item is from the September 11, 1926, issue of Motion Picture News:
The September 25 issue of the same journal had a follow-up item:The October 7, 1927, issue of Motion Picture News refers to Fred Pickrel’s “Hi-he-kat” Theatre in Pawhuska. Pickrel probably renamed the house the Kihekah not long after buying it. Motion Picture News had ongoing difficulty with the theater’s new name. As late as April 20, 1929, they called it the “Ki-he-kak” Theatre.The July 14, 1951 issue of Boxoffice reported that Video Independent Theatres had acquired full ownership of the Kihekah Theatre in Pawhuska, having purchased the half interest still held by Fred Pickrel, who had held an interest in the house since 1927. Video had acquired a half interest from Pickrel’s partner in 1950. Video Independent was still operating the Kihekah in 1963, when it was mentioned in the November 25 issue of Boxoffice.
Live performances were being presented at the Kihekah Theatre even before its name reverted to Constantine. A performance of the play “The Crucible” was mounted there in 1976, according to the June 27 issue of the Oklahoma City Daily Oklahoman.
Opened on December 12, 1914 with Annette Kellerman in “Neptune’s Daughter”. First managed by C.E. Parker.