Burford Theatre

Arkansas City, KS

116 S. Summit

, Arkansas City, KS 67005 United States

(map)

Status:	Closed/Renovating/Restoring
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Spanish Renaissance

Function:	Community Arts Center
Seats:	1200
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Carl Boller
Firm:	Boller Brothers

One a grand theatre, the Burford became the product of changing times and changing theatre chains. It has been donated to the Arkansas City Area Arts Council for use as a center for the arts for the community. They are now restoring and renovating the property. Much of the early decor is still intact.

The theatre was built in 1924 in a l-shaped building in the center of downtown Arkansas City. Shortly after its opening, a commercial building was erected in the lot in front of the auditorium. The renovation-restoration was begun in late fall 2004. A web site is planned and will be in place in late spring, 2005.

For information contact dac@arkcity.com

Contributed by E. Snell

YOUR COMMENTS

Recent news article:
http://www.arkcity.net/stories/020305/com_0001.shtml

posted by TC on Mar 14, 2005 at 12:18pm

Here is another article on this theater:
http://www.arkcity.net/stories/091804/com_0002.shtml

In that article, it claims that this theater had 3 screens in 1985.

posted by Lost Memory on Mar 14, 2005 at 12:32pm

This theatre did have 3 screens. My best friend worked there in college. If you go up onto the original balcony, you can see all the way back to the original stage and looking down, you see all 4 theatres because they have a false ceiling. This theatre is beautiful.

posted by aandersku on Mar 25, 2005 at 1:46pm

I meant to type 3 instead of 4. There are only 3 theatres now.

posted by aandersku on Mar 25, 2005 at 1:47pm

Here is a recent photo of the Burford Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 27, 2006 at 7:31am

My son worked at the Burford when it was owned by B&B and used as a movie theatre. He would tell me some eerie stories about weird noises and odd things that would happen when he was there at night by himself and also other people have had the same experiences. Did anyone ever mention that strange things happen in this building? If so I would like to hear about it. I have searched other web sites regarding paranormal happenings but I could never find anything written about the Burford.

posted by Carol130 on Nov 1, 2006 at 4:57am

A Robert-Morton theater organ was installed in the Burford Theater in 1927.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 9, 2007 at 7:38pm

This is a 2009 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Feb 13, 2009 at 4:05pm

1985 photo of the Burford Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c16%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=2&ProductID=27431

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 14, 2009 at 3:45pm

1985 night photo of the Burford Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c16%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=2&ProductID=27433

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 14, 2009 at 3:46pm

1985 Day Photo

1985 Night Photo

posted by Lost Memory on May 20, 2009 at 9:38am

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