 Some of these mighty structures have been destroyed others have been refurbished and are open for business. If you have any information regarding Kansas theaters, opera houses or drive in theaters but they are not listed or you have additional information or pictures for a theater please email me. Let's keep the history of our classic theaters alive!
Quick navigation by town name. |
| Hamilton, Kansas |
|
Star Theater
No history available at this time. |
| Hardtner, Kansas |
|
Deluxe
Theater No history available at this time. |
| Harper, Kansas |
Prairie Arts
Theatre
 Built in 1922 and is needing help with restoration at this time. |
| Hays, Kansas |
|
Fox
Theater Opened in 1915 no other history available at this time. Hays Drive In 1 Hays Drive In 2 No history available at this time. |
| Herington, Kansas |
|
Drive In No history available at this time. |
| Herndon, Kansas |
|
Herndon's
Opera House The railroad built the Opera House on the northeast corner of the main street intersection. For the next 50 years this would be the main gathering place for social events, political rallies, basketball games, road show productions, picture shows and school programs. No other history available at this time. |
| Hill City, Kansas |
|
Riverside
Drive In No history available at this time. Midway Theater No history available at this time. |
| Hiawatha, Kansas |
|
Dickinson
Theater Opened in 1929 no other history available at this time. Arrow
Twin Theater |
| Hoisington, Kansas |
|
Opera
House Entertainment during the city's early years was much different than today. No movie theaters, no cars, no radio or television; but instead there were one night shows and weekly stands at the opera house. Many of the top entertainers of the day performed in the opera house. Hypnotism shows were also popular. Hoisington being a railroad town, Brotherhood dances were popular and were presented regularly by the different rail workers organizations. No other history available at this time. Royal Theater Local girls hired to sing and play the piano during the movie. Burned down in the early 80's.There is a small park on the site now. Unknown Theater No history available at this time. Drive-In Theater (Name Unknown) Closed 35 years ago, no other history available at this time. |
| Holton, Kansas |
|
Arcada
(Perkins) Theater The Perkins Theater in Holton originally opened in 1907. In 1935-36, the theater was remodeled by the Boller Brothers and renamed the Arcada. Today, the former theater is used as a liquor store. This theater was discussed in a 1953 documentary about how the city of Holton, Kansas is surviving since the Arcada was closed down a year or two before. Several business owners, including the grocery store owner who states his business has gone down because mothers would send their children to the Saturday matinee and shop at his store, then pick up the kids on their way out. Since the theater closed, they go elsewhere. |
| Hope, Kansas |
|
Opera
House Opened in 1886 no other history available at this time. |
| Howard, Kansas |
|
Plaza
Theatre No history available at this time. |
| Hugoton, Kansas |
Rusada
(Showplace) Theater
 Opened in 1948 no other history available at this time. Hugoton Drive In No history available at this time. |
| Hutchinson, Kansas |
FOX
Theater
(website features many great photos)Since 1931, this theatre has been a fixture in downtown Hutchinson. The Fox made a comeback in 1999 following an extensive restoration and is now a center for art, entertainment and education. Designated the "State Movie Palace of Kansas", the Fox is one of the finest examples of theater art deco architecture in the Midwest. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fox has established an annual season of live performances including Broadway-caliber performances, as well as a classic film series. The marquee was the first flashing display of neon in Kansas and is one of the few surviving original marquees in the country. Two films shot near Hutchinson premiered at the Fox Theatre with the cast appearing at the event -- 'Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie" in 1953 and "Picnic" in 1955. The Fox has become a popular meeting place and is available to rent. The theatre seats just over 1,200 and is handicapped accessible. Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre is part of a national heritage. It isn’t just a theatre, it is a movie palace, part of a social, architectural, and entertainment movement that saw its’ heyday between 1915 and 1945. Movie palaces were intended to showcase and reflect the movie industry itself; they were intended to be larger than life. And the history of the Fox is indeed larger than life! Boller Brothers built the Fox and upon completion, Hutchinson saw a party the likes of which had never been seen before. Local citizens saw the need for a new theatre and had invested $400,000 to build a state-of-the art movie theatre/vaudeville house. It was the largest movie palace between Kansas City and Denver. The Fox helped the community shake the depression dust off of its feet with a weeklong celebration leading up to the June 8, 1931 grand opening. The theatre stood empty between 1985 and 1990 when Hutchinson’s Historic Theatre, Inc., a non-profit corporation, purchased it. On January 30, 1999, we gathered again to celebrate the rebirth of the Fox as a regional center for the performing arts following a $4.5 million restoration. This began a new era and new vision for the theatre – one that will continue to celebrate a rich heritage and enrich the lives of future generations. And that new era continues with a season subscription series; “By the Bus", educational program; a film series; and increased use of the theatre by local organizations, civic and religious groups. Together, we can build a tradition of excellence in the arts.
Flag Theater |
|
Quick navigation by town name.
|
