Crane Theatre
109 W. 5th Street,
Crane,
TX
79731
109 W. 5th Street,
Crane,
TX
79731
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: O.K. Theaters Inc.
Architects: Harvey C. Allen, Howard C. Allen, Jack M. Corgan
Firms: Allen & Allen
Previous Names: Lyric Theatre
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The Lyric Theatre was opened prior to 1928 when it was listed with 240 seats. From 1931 it was listed with 320 seats. In 1949 it was remodeled by architect Jack Corgan & architectural firm Allen & Allen of Lamesa, TX. The seating capacity was increased to 516 and it was renamed Crane Theatre, a name it still had in 1952. It was still open in 1957. The building was destroyed by a fire in 2016.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
The Crane theatre was located at 109 W. Fifth St. The building was destroyed by fire in 2016.
Correction: The Crane Theater a new theater built in 1949; the Palace Theater was theater that existed in Crane, Texas in 1927-1929 after the City was organized in Sep 1927. The Crane Theaters was built at a cost of $100000 and featured “cry room” where mothers may take small children and see the show without disturbing other patrons the new Crane Theater will be officially opened Aug 1949. he theater screen first of its kind to be installed in West Texas is said to remove all distortion from pictures from all viewpoints in the auditorium A square dance party will be held in the street after the theater is dedicated Leonard Hallenbeck manager. Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth, Texas, 23 Aug 1949, Tue • Page 16
June 1947: Crane Theater, Crane, Texas. Construction of a new modern fireproof theater will begin probably some time next week as soon as plans and specification ‘ are completed, according to Fred P. Hoenscheidt district manager’ ot Theater Enterprise, Inc., of Dallas, who has been in Crane for several days working on the project Jack M. Corgan, theater architect will be in Crane Friday to go over the grounds and complete plans. The building planned will be constructed of masonry, concrete and steel with a seating capacity of 800.There will be tile rest rooms, a cry room where Crane mothers can still watch the picture without crying babies disturbing other patrons, a smoking area, and a modern cooling and heating system. The ww theater" building will be directly across the street from the Neeley Appliance Company, and according to Neelev that half block will be filled wjth modern buildings to ouse other new enterprises in Crane. Source: Odessa American, Odessa, Texas, 06 Jun 1947, Fri • Page 10
July 1951: Derrick Drive-In Theater Planned in Crane, Texas: Plans have been announced for Crane' first ‘drive-in theater to be constructed by Theater Enterprises Inc. B.L.Haley, manager of the Crane theater operated by TEI, said two locations were being considered. One is across the highway from the Gulf amp south of town and the other is north of the airport on the Odessa highway. Facilities are planned for 275 cars with a snack bar and other conveniences. (Note: the drive-in was actually constructed south of town.) Source: The Odessa American, Odessa, Texas, 08 Jul 1951, Sun • Page 2
Sep 1927: Palace Theater, Crane, Texas: An audience of 500 persons escaped without panic or injury when a fire starting by ignition of a film in the operator’s booth destro:ved the Palace Theater toile of at Crane City endangering a frame business buildings and oil prop- erties worth millions in the Crane 30 miles south County oil field townof Ode ssa Monday tight V irtually without fire protection thousands of oil field workers and residents of the town battled the flames with buckets of water while City authorities at Odessa were asked to hold in readiness a new fire truck and chemical engine delivered here Saturday At 10 o'clock Monday night Sheriff Jack Allen at Crane City advised that the fire was under control but totally destroyed the theater and only slight damage to two adjoining buildings. Source: Fort Worth Record-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, 13 Sep 1927, Tue • Page 18
May 2016: Crane Theater, Crane, Texas “Possible Arson Destroys Iconic Theater in Texas. Crane’s Fire Chief says putting out a suspected arson fire in the town’s theater was a team effort. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLh8yHOYxpA May 1st, 2016: https://www.firehouse.com/community-risk/video/12201624/possible-arson-destroys-iconic-theater-in-crane-texas
Crane Theatre was located at 109 W. 5th St, Crane, Texas. The theater was named Crane Theater and was NEVER renamed Palace Theater. I worked at the Crane Theater and Derrick Drive-In Theater as the projectionist. Born and raised in Crane, Texas.