Neches Theatre

William Meeker established the Lyric Theatre at 1307 Port Neches Avenue in Port Neches in 1922, transitioned it from silent to sound operation and after his death operated by his wife. In 1936, she sold it to Jefferson Amusement which modernized the theater giving it a new look. Operating it for decades, Jefferson was bought out by Gulf States Theatre circuit which absorbed the theater in the 1960s changing its name to the Neches Theatre with a new sign tower. It closed around 1970. The theater had a bit more life for some live theatrical events and was abandoned around 1971. On March 20, 1973, it was all over the Neches as fire gutted the abandoned theater.