County’s Pecos Theatre purchase finalized

Guadalupe County officially struck a deal to buy the closed Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, according to last week's print edition of The Communicator, based in Santa Rosa. The newspaper reported the county signed a purchase agreement of $60,000 from longtime owner Rudy "Spider" Sanchez. The theater, however, will need an estimated $700,000 in upgrades before it … Continue reading County’s Pecos Theatre purchase finalized

Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming

The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, is marking the 20th anniversary of the homecoming of itsMighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. The organ was built in 1928 and installed at the theater before its opening a year later, reported the Joplin Globe. One of the heroes in the Mighty Wurlitzer's rebirth two decades ago was a Texan … Continue reading Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming

100 years of drive-in theaters in one map

The first of many drive-in theaters opened in New Mexico in 1914. More than 100 years later, someone has compiled an interactive map that shows more than 4,600 drive-in theaters built in the United States. Below is a screen capture of the map, but the direct link to it is here (the map may take several … Continue reading 100 years of drive-in theaters in one map

Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again

  The neon lights of the Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City glowed with life for the first time in nearly five years Friday as a preview for its spring reopening as a performance venue and bars. The Associated Press reported: Scott Marsh, chief operations officer at Levelland Productions, is planning a “soft opening” by early April for … Continue reading Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again

Getting inside the Majestic Theatre of East St. Louis

Chris and Katie Robleski of Fading Nostalgia recently used their night photography talents to shoot the inside of the Majestic Theatre in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Robleskis wrote a blog about gaining access to the theater's seldom-seen interior. Their 26-minute podcast goes not only into the decaying but beautiful Majestic Theatre and the troubled history … Continue reading Getting inside the Majestic Theatre of East St. Louis

Gillioz Theatre celebrations to mark its 90th year

The historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Missouri, will mark its 90th year with a big New Year's Eve concert by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and an expanded number of classic-movie screenings and plenty of concerts through 2016, according to the Springfield News-Leader. A total of 12 to 15 films will be screened next year, … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre celebrations to mark its 90th year

Santa Rosa theater may be revived

It's not a sure thing, but plans to revive the historic Pecos Theatre in downtown Santa Rosa, New Mexico, got a big boost last week when a state official enthusiastically supported Guadalupe County's proposal to buy and renovate the theater, according to an article in the print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator. The town's … Continue reading Santa Rosa theater may be revived

TeePee Drive-In goes up for sale again

The long-closed TeePee Drive-In on an original alignment of Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is on the market again, according to KJRH-TV in Tulsa, after a brief ray of hope for its revival a few years ago faded. The asking price for the property is $275,000. Here's the video report from the station, which has … Continue reading TeePee Drive-In goes up for sale again

Sky-View Drive-In put up for sale

The historic Sky-View Drive-In theater along Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, has been put on the market for $275,000. The theater is listed through the Goodman Agency in Carlinville, Illinois. According to the Realtor, the Sky-View underwent a $77,000 conversion to digital film format, so it is ready for the current age. The theater's capacity … Continue reading Sky-View Drive-In put up for sale

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to play at Birthplace of Route 66 Festival

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, along with special guest Pure Prairie League, will perform Aug. 14 at the historic Gillioz Theatre during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, according to the Springfield News-Leader. The country-rock band, which has been around for almost 50 years, is best-known for its cover of "Mr. Bojangles" … Continue reading Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to play at Birthplace of Route 66 Festival