Edna Theatre

201 W. Main Street,
Edna, TX 77957

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Long Theaters

Architects: Ernest L. Shult

Nearby Theaters

Edna theater with completed neon

The Edna Theatre opened in 1949 by the Long Theaters chain. It is an imposing structure located in downtown Edna, Texas. The large outdoor neon sign soars to the sky, and its spire can be seen from Highway 59. The exterior sidewalk is terrazzo and old mirrors adorn the doors. The ticket booth is decorated with porcelain tiles in various colors. The lobby has a wide staircase leading to a second floor balcony.

The Edna Theatre closed in the late-1970’s or early-1980’s. In fall of 2011, plans were announced to restore the Edna Theatre.

Contributed by Bob Machann

Recent comments (view all 78 comments)

trailerjoh
trailerjoh on February 7, 2013 at 3:46 pm

I have a few interior shots taken a few years ago.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12335678@N00/sets/72157618157582490/

KenLayton
KenLayton on February 8, 2013 at 8:58 am

Judging by the projection booth pictures, they were operating Brenkert model BX-60 projector heads on top of RCA 9030 sound heads.

trailerjoh
trailerjoh on February 8, 2013 at 9:11 am

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.

Rogue
Rogue on January 22, 2014 at 8:59 am

Looks awesome…great pics! any updates on the restoration?

trailerjoh
trailerjoh on January 22, 2014 at 3:53 pm

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?

marmer
marmer on March 14, 2014 at 3:26 pm

Edna was designed by Houston/Rosenberg architect Ernest L. Shult. Not sure if he did the Alabama; probably not, actually.

rynografx
rynografx on December 7, 2016 at 11:52 am

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

LouB
LouB on December 25, 2019 at 7:50 am

Marquee resembles that of the former LaSalle theater in Niagara Falls NY.

Comfortably Cool
Comfortably Cool on December 26, 2019 at 1:30 pm

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.

Movies-N-Things
Movies-N-Things on February 2, 2024 at 12:58 am

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.

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