Main Street Theatre

The Theater reopened on July 19, 2024, after being gutted and having its historical murals painted over. It has since become a “Performance Theater” / Country bar. It’s a tragic end to a classic Charles Strong theater, which was in great shape before it was sold in October of 2023 to the new owners. https://www.lamarcinemas.com

Found a for sale posting for the Lamar. Asking price is $295,000. The price includes everything and the owner will train

Boxoffice, April 8, 1974: “Frank McLaughlin and Lain McCoy, who operate DeLuxe Theatres in (Denver), have taken over the Lamar Theatre, Lamar. The showhouse formerly was operated by Atlas Theatres but was closed about a year ago.”

Boxoffice, Nov. 17, 1975: “MSB Associates, with headquarters in Lafayette, Colo., has entered the exhibition field and is now operating the Lamar Theatre in Lamar, Colo., as well as the Rex and L&L Drive-In in Louisville, Colo.”

Recent photos of the Lamar Theater illuminated for evening shows in the Photo section.

The Lamar has made the conversion to digital projection. They are showing first run attractions.

“Oh, my uncle also told me that the Lamar Theatre had a “sister” theatre in the Denver area. The Lamar’s art deco look was either modeled from that theatre or vice versa. I don’t know where that theatre was, or if it’s still standing.”

The Gothic Theater in Englewood is the sister theater and was modeled after the Lamar during its remodel.

My dad managed the Pioneer and the Lamar in Lamar and became the general manager for Atlas Theatre Corp. I rember selling popcorn at the drive in as a very young kid.

I found some old photos and newspaper clippings in our family photos and put them up on flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/75481081@N02/

Another memory of growing up in Lamar, CO…. In the 70’s there was another theatre in town called the Century Theatre. It was located around 206 South 5th Street. The building has since been renovated and is now the home of a mortuary.

I believe the Century opened during a time when the Lamar Theatre was closed down and not in operation. If I recall correctly, the Lamar Theatre reopened in the late 70’s to early 80’s, and for a short time, Lamar enjoyed two theatres as well as a drive-in theatre. I think the Century Theatre and the Lamar Drive-in closed soon into the 80’s.

To my understanding, it was the Pioneer Theatre that was located at approximately 111 South Main Street in Lamar, CO. You can still see ghost images of the old scrolled paintings high on the walls from the old theatre which is now a roofless space used for a small amount of downtown parking. The area where the screen was located is a large square opening, and the old emergency exits are still evident on each side of the old screen (opening).

One of my uncles who worked at that theatre during the time it was being closed and/or demolished, told me he spent many long days tending a fire, burning the old movie posters [gasp]! I guess they didn’t realize then what they’d be worth in the years to come!

The same uncle, along with both of my parents and other family members worked at the then newer Lamar Theatre at 216 South Main Street, as well as the Arrow Drive-In east of Lamar. What great memories I have of that theatre!

Oh, my uncle also told me that the Lamar Theatre had a “sister” theatre in the Denver area. The Lamar’s art deco look was either modeled from that theatre or vice versa. I don’t know where that theatre was, or if it’s still standing.

This may have been the Pioneer at one time. This item was in Boxoffice magazine in November 1946, when the Lamar opened:

LAMAR, COLO.-C.U. Yeager and Dave Davis, officials of the Atlas Theatre Corp., have completed the refurbishing of their Pioneer Theater here.

The 1940 photo of a Lamar theatre submitted by ken mc is obviously not the same theatre. Everything about the theatre, it’s neighbors, and the street elevation is completely different.

Does anyone know what Lamar theatre that is?

Here is a 1947 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2r2qvc

Mr Dudley thanks for the correction. I agree the Ross’s have done a great job. The Lamar is beautiful! I spoke with them on Cindy and I’s first visit, but I guess I got that fact confused. Who built the Lamar? I finally purchased a digital camera that works well, so next time I’m in Lamar, I’m going to speak with Mr. Ross about photographing his theatre. I’d like to photograph yours, the Movies, too. If you’ll send me your e.mail address, I’ll send you some of my favorites. Cindy and I just love checking out classic theatres, meeting their owners and hearing their stories. Like we were talking about, that’s one of the first things we do when we’re traveling through a town. Like you, we look for the theatre. See you the next time we’re in Ulysses, KS.