Rose Theater

200 N. Main Street,
Morton, TX 79346

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Wallace Theaters

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Rose Theater

Opened in early-August 1950 at the northeast corner of N. Main Street and E. Wilson Avenue. The Rose Theater sat lonely and deserted in the empty farming town of Morton when I last saw it in the late-1970’s. It was situated on a corner, a tan brick building, featuring some dark red ceramic tile and Rose spelled out in individual letters on the overhang. It must have been a popular place in its time. It was last used as a church, named Miracle Center. It is still standing in a vacant/derelict state in 2018 and has lost its marquee and name signage.

Contributed by Don Lewis

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Michael Furlinger
Michael Furlinger on August 19, 2006 at 5:50 pm

DON -how old is that pic?

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on August 20, 2006 at 7:18 am

Hello longisland. The ROSE photograph is 28-30 yrs old.

driveinfan
driveinfan on July 5, 2018 at 8:04 am

As of 2013, the Rose Theater was still standing.

Bill Eichelberger
Bill Eichelberger on November 22, 2019 at 2:43 pm

According to Google, it was still standing in 2018. Looking a little shabby, though.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 22, 2019 at 9:42 pm

Two trade publications noted the opening of the Rose Theatre in Morton. The first of three items to appear in The Exhibitor was this one from the August 9 issue:

“T. J. Simpson, formerly of Levelland, Tex., has been named manager, new Rose, Morton, Tex., owned and operated the Wallace Blankenship Circuit. The house seats 900.”
A second item appeared in the issue of August 23:
“Rose Makes Debut In Texas

“Morton, Tex.— The opening of the new Rose here recently was attended by an enthusiastic crowd who welcomed its luxurious modernity. An L-shaped foyer introduces the decorative scheme of the auditorium by presenting a colorful carpet and distinctive pastel wall colors

“A sloping stadium, rising at a sharper angle than the bowl section, permits full utilization of the entire length of the viewing room.”

The third mention, in the September 23 issue, was part of an item about the Blankenship circuit:
“Three new theatres have been opened by the Wallace Blankenship Theatre Circuit, the 900-seat Rose, Morton, Tex.; the 850-seat Rose, Andrews, Tex., and a 350-car drive-in, Tahoka, Tex. T. J. Simpson is the manager at Morton, A. J. Burleson at Andrews, and L. P. Flood at Tahoka. The new theatres bring the total of the circuit to 21, with five more under construction.”
A brief item in the August 2 issue of Variety also noted the opening. The Rose was the second house at Morton for Wallace Blankenship, the Wallace Theatre there having been opened in 1935.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 23, 2019 at 6:24 am

I forgot to put the year in that comment. The trade journal items were all published in 1950.

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