Lona Theater
111 5th Street,
Sedalia,
MO
65301
111 5th Street,
Sedalia,
MO
65301
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A three story building with a yellow brick facade with yellow terra-cotta trim. Not very fancy, but dignified. For some inexplicable reason, the center of the street level portion has been painted pink.
Later known as the Liberty Theater, the theater is now home to the Liberty Center Association for the Arts, a performing arts venue.
Contributed by
Seth Gaines
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
According to information from Charles Van Bibber, this theater opened in 1939, closed 1952, and seated 404.
This should be listed as a single screen theatre.
Opening in 1939 seems kind of odd when a Kimball organ was installed in the Lona Theater in 1919. Maybe someone with an older FDYbook can clear this mystery up.
I am going to assume that this was the only Lona Theater in Sedalia, Mo. In that case, this theater was screening silent movies in 1920 and the 1919 date of the organ installation seems credible. At some point the Lona Theater became the Liberty Theater which closed in the 1950’s. In the 1980’s the building was remodeled and used as a performing arts center which it is stilled used as today. The theater is operated by the Liberty Center Association for the Arts. The address is:
111 W 5th St
Sedalia, MO 65301
This is their website. Click on “About LCCA” for a brief history and photo.
That’s the one. It certainly didn’t look like it was built in ‘39.
Another mystery solved. Current seating is 363. Status should be Open.
Is this the Lona Theater that is rumoured to be haunted?
This is a recent photo of the Lona Theater.
On the cinematour website there is a listing for a Diamond Drive-in Theatre in Sedalia, MO. There is a phone # and it is NOT listed as closed. I’d call the number but I’m assuming if it really still exists they would not be open this time of year anyway. Can any Sedalia residents shed some light on the subject? Is it still active? How come there’s not a link on cinema treasures? Thanks.