Kessler Theater
1230 West Davis Street,
Dallas,
TX
75208
1230 West Davis Street,
Dallas,
TX
75208
2 people
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The Kessler Theater was opened in spring of 1942, and was taken over by Gene Autry in 1947. It closed in the 1950’s. It was hit by a tornado on April 2, 1957. I’m not sure if that caused it to close or was it already closed prior to that date. The auditorium received some damage from the tornado.
At some point the building was used as a church. In around 1998, the building was purchased with the intention of converting it to a restaurant and/or retail stores, but due to restrictive parking codes, the building remained vacant.
It was restored and reopened in March 2010 as a live performance theatre.
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Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
2005 photo of the Kessler Theatre courtesy Randy Carlisle.
View link
The Kessler was designed by Raymond F. Smith, who was my Grandfather. View link
This expands on the previous posts some.
It makes me proud to see some of his work being saved after so many have crumbled and been demolished.
An article about the Kessler, especially in its current role as a “creative agora”: View link.
Hey Chuck1231 & all. I just posted a new, updated photo of the Kessler Theatre! This Theatre sure looks great! Enjoy.. RAC Photography … Photo seen here:. http://www.flickr.com/photos/racphotography/5790250933 ..
Randy, you haven’t had a bad photo yet. I think some of your photos make the theatres look better than they actually are. Great job.
Oh My. Thank You (Chuck1231)!! I so appreciate the compliment.. Randy
Randy, you should add the 6/11/11 photo to CT. It is by far better than the street view.
From 2012 a photo of the Kessler in Dallas.
A new neon sign with marquee was installed today, completing restoration of this theater. Story: http://oakcliffblog.dallasnews.com/2012/12/next-up-at-oak-cliffs-kessler-theater-new-signs-new-lights.html/ Photo: https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/256674_4992421169372_504148639_o.jpg
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