Ritz Theatre
10 West Main Street,
Shawnee,
OK
74801
10 West Main Street,
Shawnee,
OK
74801
2 people
favorited this theater
The Ritz Theatre, built around 1899, and originally constructed as a dry goods store, was the oldest and longest running family owned/operated movie theater in the state of Oklahoma when it closed in 1988.
When purchased by Jake Jones, Sr. in 1913, the theater was renamed the Cozy. Around WWI, the building was remodeled to its present 40' width and shortly thereafter became a stop on the state vaudeville circuit.
In 1926, the theatre was renamed the Ritz Theatre, and Shawnee’s first talking motion pictures were shown.
The Ritz Theatre is an Federal Revival style, two story building. The first floor and auditorium are in good condition and reflect lighting fixtures designed and made by Johnny Jones, son of Jake Jones, Sr.
The second story was originally used as a boarding house/hotel during the railroad and oil boom days. Architectural details are still intact but it desperately needs restoring.
In 2000, the Jones family gave the theater to the Soceity for Revitalization of Downtown Shawnee, Inc. This historic landmark holds the designation of "Save America’s Treasures".
Since 2000, SRDS held four to six performances annually and raised $60,000 towards renovations and restoration. It now operates ful time as a live theatre, and renovations continue when funding allows.
Contributed by
Charlotte Patterson
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Recent comments (view all 38 comments)
A 2009 photo of the Ritz is here.
Roadside Oklahoma pages show off vintage and modern photos of the Ritz Theatre, Shawnee,
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/638
From 2010 photo views of the Ritz Here and Here in Shawnee.
2008 photo of the Ritz Theatre, Click to enlarge.
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Photos of the Ritz Theatre.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTFCjbBa_H0
Here is a link on YouTube. This is just short video from one of our monthly shows. We try to bring one event to the Ritz each month and are looking for more things to do. We have just about got the old popcorn machine fixed and we’re pretty darn excited about that!
Take a look at what the Ritz Theatre neighborhood looks like today,
View link
Looks like the signboards are missing from the marquee.Cosmic Ray.
According to a reply to an email to the Ritz Theatre, volunteers were working on the marquee, ie. new lights and new panels. That is why the panels are missing.
The Cinema Section of Roadside Oklahome is closed, they no longer have theatre photos according to the site. Go to their home page for further details.