Midland Theater

Here is a pdf file of the National Register of Historic Places nomination form for the Midland Theater. It contains a detailed description of the theater and a few small black and white photos. There’s also additional information about John Tackett and Coffeyville.

Among pertinent bits from the form: The house came under Fox Theatres management less than a year after it opened, and that’s when the name was changed; Fox continued to operate the Midland until 1960; in 1960 the theater was sold to Talmadge (“Tal”) and Pearl Richardson; “Tal” Richardson died in 1976, and Pearl continued to run the Midland until her death in 1998; the city of Coffeyville purchased the building after Pearl Richardson died.

During the Fox era, the organ (the form says it was a “Wicks nine-manual” but they must have meant nine rank) was sold, the orchestra pit filled with concrete, the box seats were removed and total seating capacity reduced (it originally had 1200 seats), and the chandeliers were removed. A concession stand was also added. The building originally contained a 25'x50' ballroom on the second floor front, with access via doors to the theatre’s mezzanine lobby. The ballroom was divided into office space during the Fox period.

According to the Foundations mission statement they are going to restore the theatre and the Alamo building next door. It looks like they have restored the extrior. It is really in great shape.

Don,
I lost a lot of my files during my illness, Let my niece use the computer and she sort of crashed it. I was finally able to get my passward straight on photobucket and retrieved a lot of my theatre photos. I was astounded at the front of the Midland Theatre and how much improvement they have made on it. I had relatives in Coffeyville so there was a little sentiment involved with this theatre. I hope they fulfill the plans for this theatre. It is truly a treasure.

Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ylfofwr

OWLHEN,you should have grabed those Steve Mcqueen lobby cards Bet they are in the city dump today. Gotta save history.