Crystal Theater
401 W. Broadway Street,
Okemah,
OK
74859
401 W. Broadway Street,
Okemah,
OK
74859
1 person
favorited this theater
This historic Crystal Theater in Okemah has been around since the 1910’s. It was remodeled in 1921 in an Atmospheric style. It now hosts a variety of events, including live performances such as the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival.
Contributed by
Lauren Grubb
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Recent comments (view all 25 comments)
Wasn’t the Jewel a drive-in theatre?
There was also a Jewel Drive-In theater but it wouldn’t be listed in 1930. The Jewel Theater is listed in the 1930 Film Daily Yearbook with 300 seats. Listed in 1935 with 400 seats. The Jewel is still listed in 1955 only now the seating is given as 800 seats. It might have been remodeled or replaced at some point. The Jewel was located on West Broadway so it is most likely the other theater shown in the 1930 photo.
LM:
Thank you! Tthis information is most interesting because the Jewel Drive-In entranceway has a marquee with an upright sign that looks as if it might have come from another theatre.
Wish I could get a a better enlargement of that 1930 photo as I suspect the theatre visible on top of the hill may be the (first) Jewel.
Just tracked the hilltop building in question on google maps. The entire northside of the street has been cleared, and the possible theatre was replaced by a 1960s style building. Okemah sure has an old west look.
That building called the Oasis across the street from the Crystal Theatre (in the 1930 snapshot) looks like a theatre also. Still, it may have been a saloon.
Seymour….The address given in the Film Daily for the Jewel Theater is 216 West Broadway. Hope that helps.
Thank you! That helps a whole lot. It was further up the hill than I thought. Now, if I can only figure out which building housed the former Jewel Theatre …
From the Okemah Public Library comes this detailed history of the Crystal Theatre -
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Can anyone tell me the current the status of the Crystal? Is it still showing movies?
The Crystal is currently not showing movies, however, a civic organization, Okemah Community Improvement Association, just purchased the theater to help restore and save it. The borrowed $15,000 extra for repairs. Unfortunately they did not know the roof was is such bad condition. They are putting on a new rubber roof, which will never have to be fixed again, and it cost $23,000. They are trying to raise the remainder of the money. Currently donations are accepted through PayPal at www.okemahok.org, www.okemahnewsleader.com or on the Save the Crystal Facebook page. Also donations can be mailed to: Okemah CIA, P.O. Box 165, Okemah, Ok 74859. Okemah CIA is a 501©3 non-profit organzation.
Okemah is birthplace and childhood home to activist songwriter Woody Guthrie (1912 – 1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxiMrvDbq3s
and Arlo Guthrie’s version
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