Rex Theatre

James “Jim” S. White opened a new garage which would become the local Ford auto shop and a neighboring, new 400-seat theatre for presenting live events and, secondarily, films - ambitious for a town of just 478 people. White’s Theatre had its official grand opening on December 3, 1917 with a play called “The Town Fool”. But the first event took place on September 21, 1917 and many free events leading up to the launch including a movie show on November 17, 1917. That show drew the capacity crowd of 400 people and White had a winner.

The theatre switched to full-time movies and, under William “Pete” M. White, changed its name to the Victory Theatre as World War I was ending in 1918. White offered the venue for sale in 1926 and 1927 including its projectors and electric piano. T.L. Julian and A.J. Lance took on the venue in October of 1927 failing quickly. But Wil M. Jensen took on the venue on a 5-year lease receiving a new front, a new screen, projection and a NuAir air conditioning system.

Jensen opened the newly-christened Rex Theatre on March 8, 1928 with a free movie that had two capacity shows. It had improved seating and more space with room for 217 patrons. Jensen then installed sound beginning with the April 20, 1930 showings of Will Rogers in “They Had to See Paris”. Under new operator Harold Walker who took on the venue in 1932, the Rex Theatre was refurbished for a January 1932 relaunch. But on May 30, 1932, a fire gutted the theatre and slightly damaged the Ford garage. In August, the Rex Theatre’s remains were razed and the town remained theatre-less until the Blue Moon Theatre opened on March 22, 1940.

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