Jefferson Theatre

Opened on November 14, 1927 with Mary Astor in “Rose of the Golden West”. Operated by the Saenger chain, the Jefferson Theatre (named for Beaumont’s position as Jefferson’s county seat), the theatre was designed by the circuit’s house architect, the prodigious Emile Weil, who also designed such noted Saenger palaces as the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, the Saenger Theatre in Pensacola, Florida, and the Strand Theatre in Shreveport, the Saenger’s hometown.

The Jefferson Theatre was one of the few Weil designs where he did not incorporate the letter "S" for the circuit into the exterior and interior design, though the theatre was no less ornate than the rest of the Saenger’s mid-sized houses of the 1920’s.

The Jefferson Theatre contained a 3 manual, 8 rank Robert Morton organ, opened by organist Alice Richland (which has since been lovingly restored to its original condition).

After decades as the city’s premier movie house, the Jefferson Theatre declined in popularity, and was eventually shuttered. However, beginning in the early-1990’s, a campaign to restore the theatre was kicked off, and has been underway ever since.

Restoration was completed in 2005, and the Jefferson Theatre is currently home to both community theatre and other live stage performances.

Recent comments (view all 12 comments)

teecee on March 10, 2005 at 1:56 pm

You can see a beautiful print at this link:
http://randywelborn.com/007.shtml

teecee on March 10, 2005 at 2:00 pm

Another print – this time of the interior with children at a talent show (may be slow to load):
http://randywelborn.com/003.shtml

movieartaustin on September 13, 2005 at 3:51 am

The Jefferson Theater was owned by The Jefferson Amusement Company, which was run by Mr. Julius Gordon.
The Jefferson Theater has now been lovingly restored and some films and theater events are being held.

kencmcintyre on December 30, 2006 at 12:38 am

In 1937, Jefferson Amusements owned the Rio Theater in Beaumont. I’m not sure if this was a predecessor of the Jefferson or a separate theater.

Denny Pine on February 23, 2009 at 4:28 pm

This was the theater where KTRM Radio DJ Jape “The Big Bopper” Richardson set the record for on-air DJing: 122 hours and 8 minutes, playing a total of 1,821 records! That was in May 1957; the following year, he struck gold with a little ditty he wrote and recorded called “Chantilly Lace”.

[Deleted] on October 10, 2009 at 4:28 am

The Jefferson Theatre has a new website: www.beaumont-tx-complex.com/jeffersontheatre.html Apparently the Jefferson is now part of the Beaumont Civic Center Complex, which consists of several buildings.

regrothenberger on April 19, 2010 at 11:23 pm

Pictures of the interior… View link

rcroth on May 16, 2012 at 7:15 am

Excellent photos of the grand re-opening in 2003. http://www.savetheorgan.org/jefferson/index.htm

1proudtexan on December 2, 2016 at 5:40 pm

Lots of childhood memories associate with the Jefferson. Loved looking at the chandelier and statues. Favorite movie experience was “House on Haunted Hill” which I also saw at the Temple in Meridian, Mississippi. Ten year old boys and a horror movie; doesn’t get better than that!

rivest266 on November 28, 2020 at 6:49 pm

The Jefferson theatre opened on November 14th, 1927. Grand opening ad posted.

https://www.genealogybank.com/nbshare/AC01110225224715029151606589350