Table Rock Theatre

This theatre was built in 1917 as part of a block that included the Lincoln Hotel on the corner, and a bank on the other side of the theatre. Originally named the Ideal Theatre (perhaps initially the Hillman’s Ideal Theatre), it was then renamed the Roxy Theatre in the 1930’s, after at least two fires, and a sale. Sold several more times over the years, by 1941 it was the New Roxy Theatre. By 1950 it was called the Table Rock Theatre. For at least part of its later history, it was owned by the city. Open until at least the 1960’s, it later became the Theatre Lounge, which no longer seems to be open. The exterior is in excellent shape, except that the entry has been completely closed with siding.

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

SethG on January 22, 2019 at 10:12 am

The local historical society’s excellent page on the theater: https://www.tablerockhistoricalsociety.com/theater.html

DavidZornig on January 23, 2019 at 1:49 pm

From the current street view the address is 402-404 Luzerne Street. JK Remodeling located in the same building is 406 Luzerne. Hard to believe with all the history compiled in the above website, that not one of the print ads have an address listed.

SethG on January 23, 2019 at 3:06 pm

Such a small town that everyone knew where it was? Thanks for the address. The lounge and hotel seem to be defunct, and I couldn’t find it that way.

DavidZornig on January 24, 2019 at 6:59 am

Just noticed the current exterior lamp fixtures are the same ones that were inside the alcove, above the doors in Photo 78 in the Table Rock Historical Society link. One of the globes is broken in the street view which is from 2013. There is also a vintage gas station on the corner that now looks like a repair garage, with the pumps removed.

Joe Vogel on September 17, 2019 at 10:56 pm

The April 14, 1917 issue of The American Contractor had this item about a theater to be built in Table Rock:

“Theater: $20,000. 2 sty. & bas. 32x94. Table Rock, Nebr. Archt. A. Bandy, 138 S. 13th, Lincoln. Owner Community Syndicate, care E. E. Hassel, mgr., Table Rock. Owner builds by day work. Brk. & Carthage or Bedford stone, tar & gravel rf., cement & tile trpf. Excav.”

The only other references I can find to A. Bandy on the Internet are all connected with his design of the Lincoln Hotel in Scottsbluff. His connection to the Table Rock Theatre has apparently been forgotten by local historians, as I don’t find him mentioned on the page SethG linked to.