Thompson Theatre
11 N. Ohio,
Atoka,
OK
74525
11 N. Ohio,
Atoka,
OK
74525
1 person
favorited this theater
This is a small town theatre that looks to be in shabby shape but is still in operation on week ends.
The side of the theatre along Rt. 3 has a mural painted from one end of the theatre to the other depicting historic sites and events in the area of Atoka. The front of the building gives the impression that the theatre has been boarded up since all but one door is closed in and painted a dark flat burgundy.
The theatre has a nice maquee but it seems that it is not in use as there was no attractions listed on it. It stretches from one side of the building to the other with the name in neon above each side.
Contributed by
Chuch Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
What a depressing description how do they stay open?
I don’t know if this theater is still open. I can’t find any current movie listings for it. There are photos of this theater here:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=6104
I spoke to the city manager yesterday. This theatre is now a dance studio. It closed sometime in the ‘70s. It was named after the Thompson family who, she explained, moved away during that time period. Atoka has no other theatres. She related some memories of the Thompson from her youth. Like too many other theatres, this one’s gone.
My father, Edwin Phillips, managed the Thompson Theatre. Yes, the Thompson family of Oklahoma City owned several theatres in various small towns in Oklahoma. Before the ‘new’ Thompson Theatre opened about 1954, there was the old Thompson on Court Street and the Pix Theatre was across the street. There was also the Choctaw Drive-In south of town.
The 1980 motion picture almanac lists John N. Thompson as president of Thompson Theaters Co. Three theaters in Atoka were listed – the Thompson, the Watson and the Choctaw Drive-In.
This is a 2007 photo. It doesn’t look open in the photo.
I believe that my grandfather, Duane Conner, designed this theater in 1953. I found an old resume of his from that era, and it lists this theater. He also designed the Thompson Theater in Healdton, OK, which, from what his notes say, is similar in design. When designed, the theater had a capacity of 550 seats.
We are planning to reopen the Thompson Theater in Tishomingo, OK. Any information and photos of the old theater would be greatly appreciated.
Header should read Closed, theatre is closed and boarded up. Also the correct addres should be:
122 N. Ohio Ave.
Atoka, Ok. 74525
From 2010 in Atoka a view of the Thompson Theatre Here and Here.