Rio Theatre
136 S. Main Street,
Irving,
TX
75060
136 S. Main Street,
Irving,
TX
75060
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Well, when my family moved to Irving in mid-1946, it did have two walk-in theaters, the Rio and Irving Theater. I used to go to both depending on what was playing. Of course as a six or seven year old kid, I wouldn’t watch anything but westerns.
The Irving Theater was much more modern than the Rio. The inside of the Rio was lined with open-flame gas heaters. Its a wonder that none of us died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The Rio didn’t make it until the early-1960’s, because it burned down in the 1950s. They just left the lot vacant.
Michael Bell
Irving resident 1946 – 1981
The original Irving Theatre on Main Street was opened in September of 1924 likely on a 15-year lease. Operator E.R. Lawrence sold the theatre on August 26, 1935 to Hans Smith. Smith opted to build the New Irving Theatre, a streamlined moderne facility, launching in 1939. After a period of vacancy, I believe this theatre became the Rio Theatre closing under that name. It was converted for other retail purposes.
2 Photos of the Original Irving Theatre, taken back in August of 2008. Click on photos to enlarge.. Enjoy..
Randy A Carlisle – Historical Photographer