Hippodrome Theatre
215 Cedar Street,
Julesburg,
CO
80737
215 Cedar Street,
Julesburg,
CO
80737
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Related Websites
Hippodrome Theatre - Julesburg (Official)
Additional Info
Functions: Movies (First Run), Performing Arts
Previous Names: New Hipp Theatre, Chaka Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
1970.474.9977
Nearby Theaters
Opened as the New Hipp Theatre on July 22, 1919 with Douglas Fairbanks in “The Knickerbocker Buckeroo”. A week later it became the Hippodrome Theatre. It had a seating capacity of 500. It was closed in December 1922. Taken over by new operators, it reopened in March 1923. Sold again in 1924, it was remodeled and was renamed Chaka Theatre. It was closed around June 1996. It reopened as the Hippodrome Theatre in early-1997.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
The Hippodrome “opened July 22, 1919 with the feature The Knickerbocker Buckeroo starring Douglas Fairbanks…The building survived several fires, a tornado in 1947, and interior alterations. The retention of the original pre-neon sign is particularly remarkable…The Hippodrome…is listed in the State Register of Historic Properties.” (from Colorado History/NOW, “Do you know this building?”)
From 2010 a photograph of the Hippodrome Theatre building in Julesburg
Boxoffice, Jan. 15, 1949: “JULESBURG, COLO. – Lynn Zorn, 38, owner of the Hippodrome Theatre here, died from a heart attack brought on by shoveling snow in the recent blizzard. Zorn has operated the Hippodrome for a number of years, since the death of his monther.”
I think it’s simply renovated
Website needs to be corrected to: https://www.hippodromeartscentre.com/
From the history section on the website, it was closed in December 1922, purchased in March 1923 (and presumably reopened shortly thereafter), sold again in March 1924, remodeled and renamed the Chaka, and closed around June of 1996. It then reopened under the Hippodrome name sometime around early 1997. No mention of the Hipp name, which I suspect is just a nickname.
I’m wondering how old the sign really is. It certainly looks like the original, but it definitely wasn’t on the building in the older photos. Either they found it down in the basement, or they recreated it.
An April 24, 2019 article in the Julesburg Advocate noted the centennial of the Hippodrome Theatre taking place that week. The article also notes the brief use of the name New Hipp Theatre for the new house in 1919:
Based on the preponderance of notes in Boxoffice, I’d guess that the theatre wasn’t named the Chaka until 1973. Here are a few of those clips.
Boxoffice, Feb. 28, 1966: “Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg, traveled to Iowa for her parents' 50th wedding anniversary.”
Boxoffice, May 6, 1968: “Edward, son of Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg, Colo., has been elected president of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Colorado State University.”
Boxoffice, March 1, 1971: “JULESBURG, COLO. - Funeral services were held here at the Julesburg Methodist Church for Elizabeth K. Zorn … Along with her sister-in-law Marie Zorn, she operated the Zorn Theatre and was a true pioneer in the field of exhibition. She was active in the operation of the theater up until the time of her death.”
Boxoffice, March 22, 1971: “In town (Denver) to set dates were Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg”
Boxoffice, Jan. 22, 1973: “Charles “Chad” DeCastro and his wife Kay, new owners of the Hippodrome Theatre in Julesburg, report that a major remodeling and redecorating program is being planned for the movie house. They hope to have the building ready for film exhibition early this spring. The DeCastros purchased the historic Hippodrome Theatre at auction from the Zorn estate. They also own and operate the Peerless Theatre at Holyoke, Colo. The updating will include new restrooms, a new concession stand and many other major improvements, DeCastro said.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1973: “E. J. Buhr has taken over operation of the Moon Theatre, Stratton, from C. A. Decastro. The latter will continue to operate the Peerless in Holyoke and the newly opened Chaka in Julesburg”