Midwest Theater

Great pictures Guys.

From 2010 a six photo mini-tour of the Midwest in Scottsbluff. The Theater Building, Snack Bar, Ornate interior mural artwork, More artwork, Elegant Seating and Last but not least a beautiful chandelier.

From Boxoffice Magazine, March 30, 1946, datelined Scottsbluff: “William Ostenberg will open his new 920-seat, $200,000 Midwest Theatre here on April 24. The theatre is on the location of the Egyptian, which was destroyed by fire last year.”

The Midwest was also the subject of a three-page article in the June 24, 1946, issue of Boxoffice. The architect of the new house, Charles D. Strong, was a member of the advisory staff of the magazine’s Modern Theatre Planning Institute.

Here is another photo.

Nice marquee photo here:
http://tinyurl.com/3u44tb

Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1997

Midwest Theater (added 1997 – Building – #97000728)
Also known as NeHBS #SF11-10
1707 Broadway, Scottsbluff
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Moore,Art, Contracting Co., Strong,Charles D.
Architectural Style: Moderne
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

Here is another link:
View link

This is a small photo of the Midwest Theater.

I was trilled to learn of the efforts to keep the Midwest afloat. When I was a child growing up in Bridgeport, my father owned the Trail Theatre, now demolished. The Midwest was always the crown jewel of the panhandle theatres. I remember well the days of it’s manager, Bill Boston and the smoky billiard hall in the basement. Great memories of a classic theatre. I always thought it was sad after Ostenberg sold it to Commonwealth. They removed the huge Stong “Mighty 90’s” arc lamps and replaced them with smaller units. They also moved the Box Office from it’s original location. I hope the glass from the original is still around and can be reinstalled.