Lamar Theatre

“Oh, my uncle also told me that the Lamar Theatre had a “sister” theatre in the Denver area. The Lamar’s art deco look was either modeled from that theatre or vice versa. I don’t know where that theatre was, or if it’s still standing.”

The Gothic Theater in Englewood is the sister theater and was modeled after the Lamar during its remodel.

My dad managed the Pioneer and the Lamar in Lamar and became the general manager for Atlas Theatre Corp. I rember selling popcorn at the drive in as a very young kid.

I found some old photos and newspaper clippings in our family photos and put them up on flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/75481081@N02/

Another memory of growing up in Lamar, CO…. In the 70’s there was another theatre in town called the Century Theatre. It was located around 206 South 5th Street. The building has since been renovated and is now the home of a mortuary.

I believe the Century opened during a time when the Lamar Theatre was closed down and not in operation. If I recall correctly, the Lamar Theatre reopened in the late 70’s to early 80’s, and for a short time, Lamar enjoyed two theatres as well as a drive-in theatre. I think the Century Theatre and the Lamar Drive-in closed soon into the 80’s.

To my understanding, it was the Pioneer Theatre that was located at approximately 111 South Main Street in Lamar, CO. You can still see ghost images of the old scrolled paintings high on the walls from the old theatre which is now a roofless space used for a small amount of downtown parking. The area where the screen was located is a large square opening, and the old emergency exits are still evident on each side of the old screen (opening).

One of my uncles who worked at that theatre during the time it was being closed and/or demolished, told me he spent many long days tending a fire, burning the old movie posters [gasp]! I guess they didn’t realize then what they’d be worth in the years to come!

The same uncle, along with both of my parents and other family members worked at the then newer Lamar Theatre at 216 South Main Street, as well as the Arrow Drive-In east of Lamar. What great memories I have of that theatre!

Oh, my uncle also told me that the Lamar Theatre had a “sister” theatre in the Denver area. The Lamar’s art deco look was either modeled from that theatre or vice versa. I don’t know where that theatre was, or if it’s still standing.

The Princess Theatre was located on the corner of S. Main and W. Beach St., (102 S. Main). It along with the Isis is not listed on CT.

This may have been the Pioneer at one time. This item was in Boxoffice magazine in November 1946, when the Lamar opened:

LAMAR, COLO.-C.U. Yeager and Dave Davis, officials of the Atlas Theatre Corp., have completed the refurbishing of their Pioneer Theater here.

Here are some 1983 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Interior Photo

There was a Arrow Drive-In located in Lamar also, with a 400 car capacity which has been clsoed for some time. Does anyone have information on the Arrow, maybe they could submit it.

That was my mistake. That’s the LaMar in Manhattan Beach, CA.

A 2008 photo can be seen here.

Here is another photo.

Here is a 1947 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2r2qvc