Washita Theatre
511 Chickahsa Avenue,
Chickasha,
OK
73018
511 Chickahsa Avenue,
Chickasha,
OK
73018
4 people
favorited this theater
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The picture used is so terrible and low resolution that it should be deleted and replaced by something else. The old version of the 1935 photo should be junked for the same reason.
There are two Washita Theatres in its history. Originally built as the First National building in 1913, the original Washita Theatre opened its doors on June 21, 1935 with Edmond Lowe in “The Black Sheep” along with the musical short “Star Night At The Coconut Grove” and the Terrytoon “Jack’s Shack”. It was first managed by George Limerick, and features sound installations by Western Electric.
Unfortunately on December 27, 1939, the Washita Theatre was destroyed by a fire with an estimate $50,000 in damages. Its programming immediately shifted over to the nearby Rialto.
The Washita Theatre was then rebuilt, and reopened on August 1, 1941 with Ginger Rogers in “Tom, Dick and Harry” and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in “Hold That Ghost” along with an unknown cartoon and a newsreel plus organ music played by WKY-AM’s Ken Wright before each showing. It has an original capacity of 1,200 seats and was managed by Carl Barber.
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on October 23, 1954
Grand opening of the new Washita Theatre took place August 1, 1941 with Ginger Rogers in “Tom, Dick and Harry” with Abbott and Costello in “Hold That Ghost.”
Both recent and vintage images of the Washita Theatre can be found on this site-
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/280
Here is a photo circa 1950s:
http://tinyurl.com/ybvda4d
The sign on the front of the building has been relit, so the completion of the renovation must not be too far off. Last I heard, they were projecting six months.
The Washita in 1995…
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A 1987 view of the Washita Theater in Chickasha here and here open and showing movies.
You will most definitely want to look at these great images. Through vintage photographs the history of the Washita Theatre can be traced. It seems to have begun life as a Gothic opera house seating around 2200. Then in 1935 it received an economy Art Deco atmospheric makeover that was extremely enthusiastic. After the theatre burned on Dec. 27, 1939, it was rebuilt using zesty Southwestern streamline styling that gave the theatre an entire new character.
To view images type in word “washita” -
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I am on the current Board of Directors for Chickasha Community Theatre. We are currently renovating the theater’s facade and plan to begin work on the interior within the next year. I would like to encourage everyone to drive by and see the work that has been done so far. We will be holding fundraisers to raise more money for the interior renovations.
If you would like to make a donation to the Washita Project, you may send them to CCT, P.O. Box 1687, Chickasha, OK 73023.
For more information about CCT, you can visit our website at www.chickashatheatre.org On the website you will find information about upcoming events and membership, as well as links to all the current board members. Feel free to email any of us with questions or comments.
This was a great little theatre. The owners even invented a little history calling it a “rare” stacked twin. Actually, it had an enclosed balcony making it a double screener. As of a few years ago it was in great shape. I saw the “Mummy Returns” there so it hasn’t been closed too long.