Columbia Theatre
121 S. Austin Street,
Ranger,
TX
76470
121 S. Austin Street,
Ranger,
TX
76470
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Colonel H.A. Cole launched the Lone Star Theatre in 1919. The architects were Harry J. Beshgetoorian and Edwin G. Cobelli of the local architectural firm Beshgetoorian & Cobelli. Its sound era name under new operator, Brann E. Garner, became the Columbia Theatre by 1931.
Interstate Theatres controlled the venue with Garner until leaving in 1948 with Garner briefly taking it on as an independent theater closing September 13, 1948 after a nitrate projection explosion which then destroyed the dry cleaner next door and damaged the adjoining cafe. And then some insurance executive remained really steamed about the $50,000 payout for days, months and years after the matter as all on scene witnesses on the day knew the fire started in the theater but…. Typical.
Ranger newspaper accounts show the Columbia Movie Theatre was gutted by fire in 1948 when a boiler exploded. Bystanders seemed to think the explosion was from the Columbia Theatre. The Columbia Theatre had recently been purchased that year from Interstate Theaters. The Ranger Dry Cleaning Company was next door to the Theatre and had been active for a period of 10 years. The cafe and apartments next door were damaged heavily by smoke and water.
The historical society deeded the property to Chad Cunningham who envisioned a bar and grill venue with Country Western entertainment and Saturday afternoon movies for the children. The theatre had been damaged by fire and there had been a boiler explosion at the attached building which housed a dry cleaners and apartments. The two had been derelict for years.
Renovations began in December 2015 for a Spring 2016 opening. It was also necessary to have local ordinances changed to permit the selling of alcohol at a restaurant.
I have uploaded a before picture just as the renovation was starting and the final realization of the facade of the Lone Star Theatre Bar. The overhead “Theatre” sign is a replica of the one that used to exist.
I’ve also included an image of original painted signage on the side of the building.
Cool vintage photos.
A view of the Columbia Theater and it’s auditorium.
Three March 2008 images of the Lone Star here, here and here.
Since photographing the Lone Star it appears to me that the “Lone Star” lettering was the first thing to be put on the building, plastered over and then having had a building next door with a wall covering that up. With that building now demolished and the plaster peeled away it occurs to me that the original name is now once again visible. It is a durable old building but the trees showing in the photos are growing in the auditorium.
Here is additional information for the Columbia:
http://tinyurl.com/jrh3x