Fox Theatre

The Fox currently stands in a sad state of repair. Constructed with a full stage system, the roof over the front of the house has caved in, turning the theatre into an enormous pigeon birdcage, its denizens circling the massive property as they enter and depart. Peering through the back stage-door, the damage is evident, with all remaining props, curtains, lights, seats, and other apparatus covered with guano. Otherwise, looking through yields a view of an impressive theatre with balcony, damask-patterned panels on the walls, and a facility that looks remarkably solid for one whose roof is partially missing. Someone with the funds to replace the roof and the interiors would do well to turn this into a performing arts facility/cinema. The current debate in this university town, however, does not deal with this issue, but rather whether the pigeons should be exterminated now and the roof patched, or just brought down with the building, although its out-of-town owner does not concern himself with any possibility, and the Fox sits empty.

This website has an undated photo of the Empress Theater and a 2005 photo of the Fox Theater.

This article gives a closing date of 1975 for the Fox Theater. It also gives the address as 112 S. Second.

Here is a 2007 photo of the Fox Theater.

The Fox Theatre is listed in the 1942 Film Daily Year Book with 700 seats. The 1954 FDYB says 812 seats. By the 1957 FDYB, the Fox is no longer listed, nor is Laramie itself, which could be an error or mean that no cinemas were operating there at that time.

The 1931 Film Daily Year Book claims 700 seats for the Empress Theatre, and 500 seats for its only competition, the Crown Theatre. At that time, Laramie's population was reported to be 8,609.

1981 photo of the Fox Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c50%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=35557

1987 photo of the Fox Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c50%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=35558

The Fox is still there as of 04/14/09 but apparently not for very much longer. Google Fox Theater in Laramie and you will find several very recent city documents planning its demolition. There are notices posted on all doors stating that the building is deemed unsafe and that it is illegal to enter or occupy it. What a shame, it is a very large and impressive art deco movie palace!

After viewing photos, I see that it was a very large and impressive art deco/moderne movie palace! Such a shame to lose this one to many years of.......neglect!

As of my visit to Laramie to-day (October 4th,2009), The Fox has been completely demolished and no vestige of this beautiful theater. A lady at a shop next door told me that it took them all summer to complete and the last of its removal occured very recently. Very sad day.

***STATUS SHOULD BE CHANGED TO CLOSED/DEMOLISHED