Fox Theatre

112 S. Second Street,
Laramie, WY 82070

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Additional Info

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Empress Theatre

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Fox Theatre

Opened as the Empress Theatre in 1912 on South Second Street, the theater closed in 1939. It reopened a few months later, remodeled in Art Moderne style as the Fox Theatre, including a Streamline facade with a triangular marquee, and instead of a vertical marquee, the word Fox was spelled out in neon-lit letters on the facade.

The theater closed in the mid-1970’s and became vacant. It was demolished in 2009. A newer Fox Theatre currently operates in Laramie, with six screens, on 20th Street, operated by Trans-Lux Theatres.

Contributed by Bryan

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

reuben10
reuben10 on August 11, 2005 at 7:50 pm

The Fox currently stands in a sad state of repair. Constructed with a full stage system, the roof over the front of the house has caved in, turning the theatre into an enormous pigeon birdcage, its denizens circling the massive property as they enter and depart. Peering through the back stage-door, the damage is evident, with all remaining props, curtains, lights, seats, and other apparatus covered with guano. Otherwise, looking through yields a view of an impressive theatre with balcony, damask-patterned panels on the walls, and a facility that looks remarkably solid for one whose roof is partially missing. Someone with the funds to replace the roof and the interiors would do well to turn this into a performing arts facility/cinema. The current debate in this university town, however, does not deal with this issue, but rather whether the pigeons should be exterminated now and the roof patched, or just brought down with the building, although its out-of-town owner does not concern himself with any possibility, and the Fox sits empty.

Anthony L. Vazquez-Hernandez
Anthony L. Vazquez-Hernandez on April 13, 2009 at 11:32 pm

The Fox is still there as of 04/14/09 but apparently not for very much longer. Google Fox Theater in Laramie and you will find several very recent city documents planning its demolition. There are notices posted on all doors stating that the building is deemed unsafe and that it is illegal to enter or occupy it. What a shame, it is a very large and impressive art deco movie palace!

Patsy
Patsy on September 30, 2009 at 6:47 pm

After viewing photos, I see that it was a very large and impressive art deco/moderne movie palace! Such a shame to lose this one to many years of…….neglect!

Anthony L. Vazquez-Hernandez
Anthony L. Vazquez-Hernandez on October 4, 2009 at 3:57 pm

As of my visit to Laramie to-day (October 4th,2009), The Fox has been completely demolished and no vestige of this beautiful theater. A lady at a shop next door told me that it took them all summer to complete and the last of its removal occured very recently. Very sad day.

***STATUS SHOULD BE CHANGED TO CLOSED/DEMOLISHED

William
William on March 22, 2010 at 8:01 am

The Fox Theatre reopened after the remodel on Sept. 14th, 1939, under the operations of Fox Intermountain Theatres.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on March 22, 2010 at 10:24 am

At least you can still see the Fox on the map view. Rest in peace.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on March 2, 2011 at 6:08 pm

A photo postcard view of the Empress Theatre before it became the Fox.

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