Erie Theatre

117 W. Jackson Street,
Hugo, OK 74743

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Griffith Amusement Company, Video Independent Theaters Inc.

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Mac Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Erie Theater

Open from 1919-1965 and 1969-1982, the Erie Theatre was the standout movie theatre of all theatres in Hugo, Oklahoma. It was demolished in December 2023.

Contributed by Lindy Loftin

Recent comments (view all 19 comments)

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on April 3, 2011 at 11:57 am

Shame on them for covering that original Craftsman exterior with a crappy false front
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/406

Lindy
Lindy on August 7, 2013 at 2:45 pm

The Erie actually moved from east Jackson St (the Kirkpatrick bldg) to its permanent location on west Jackson street sometime around 1913/1914. Mr. O. Gill acquired the theatre in 1914 and continued as its owner/operator until the Griffith Amusement Co lease commenced in March of 1933.

_davidb
_davidb on December 15, 2013 at 9:49 pm

I was the projectionist for the last film shown in 1965 on the night the steel support beam holding up the marquee collasped.

Lindy
Lindy on July 4, 2019 at 10:06 pm

An interesting legal document re: William Weaver and his accomplices overturning their conviction for the attempted arson of the Erie in 1933. Of course they were guilty as sin! https://law.justia.com/cases/oklahoma/court-of-appeals-criminal/1936/52094.html

Lindy
Lindy on July 4, 2019 at 10:25 pm

Burn scars are still visible from the arson attempt in 1933: behind the screen area and under the alternate stairway access to the upper levels, east side of building.

Lindy
Lindy on October 19, 2019 at 6:54 pm

Should be shown as 640 seats.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 20, 2019 at 12:25 pm

This item is from the October 4, 1919 issue of The Moving Picture World:

“Gill Building a $40,000 House.

“O. Gill, of Hugo, Okla., is constructing a new theatre which will seat 800 persons and cost $40,000. It will be called the Erie Theatre and will take the place of the old Erie Theatre.”

O. Gill is mentioned in quite a few trade journals in the 1910s and 1920s, having been Hugo’s movie theater mogul during the period.

drjohnwilson
drjohnwilson on February 10, 2021 at 1:26 pm

Hello theater historians!

I am compiling a book for History Press about early theaters in Oklahoma. Can anyone send me a photograph of the Eirie at 300 dpi? FULL CREDIT will be given' Thank you, Dr. John Wilson, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Lindy
Lindy on April 27, 2021 at 3:07 pm

Two previous locations of the early years ERIE in Hugo: 116 E Jackson St (ca.1911 and current location of HR Block) and 114 W Jackson St (ca.1914), which is directly across the street from the final location at 117 W. Jackson St. As of April, 2021, the ERIE’s abandoned structure still exists, though demolition is said to be imminent.

Lindy
Lindy on February 27, 2024 at 4:30 pm

The ERIE has been demolished. See latest photo 27 February 2024.

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