The Hitching Post had a spinoff in San Francisco opened in 1944
by Robert L. Lippert called! Roundup, which lasted about 4 years
runnign double feature westerns almost identical to the Hitching Post
Check it Out billy h.
The Historic State, 200 East California had the biggest celebration
ever, during its grand opening October, 27, 1938.
The A. V. Wade Family almost built the structure from ground up.
The State has survived the ravages of time, so far.
Hopefully, it can continue to keep its place in minds of its people.
The State originally opened as Majestic, by joe Hunnicut January 11,
1915
This was acually the third Majestic, the first was opened in 1905 by
the Harrison brothers on the east side of the square, on its North
End at California.
The Harrison’s also operated a second theate Favorite, next door to
their Majestic, but both were gone within two years.
The second Majestic for the city was opened in October, 1907 at 113 East California, by Hoyt & Ruby Kirkpatrick, who also was opened the
Happy Hour theater at 114 north Dixon, which lasted only six months.
The Kirkpaticks headed out for Fort Smith, Arkansas in March, 1908,
selling out to Henry Bertram.
In 1912, Joe Poole & W. L. Greenhill who was also running movies at
the old Opera House on South Rusk joined Bertram for the next 3 years
Joe Hunnicut took over operations after Christmas 1914, promply shut
down the doors, remodeled the site at 300 east California, reopened
the Majestic with an entire city celebration.
A. V. Wade came to town in 1924, starting years of movie operations
The Majestic was completely refurbished, with a magnificent grand
opening,September, 8, 1932.
The State took over the historic location, October, 27, 1938.
The Wades moved on in 1951, selling out to Frontier theaters from
Dallas, who operated the showplace 18 years.
Commonwealth Theaters, Kansas City, bought the State in 1969, and
kept it rolling until 1986, when they sold out to the Bartons.
Since that time, the theater has had its ups, and downs, but it is
nice to drive through Gainsville, remembering past glory when the
State was king. billy holcomb, denison, texas
The Ritz Theater opened with a magnificent celebration October, 2, 1937, at 108 North Commerce.
Gainsville Pioneer A. V. Wade who was operating the Texan,and Plaza
noted seating capacity at the Ritz was 300.
The theater had the location for one of the citys earliest theaters,
Liberty, which had been opened in September, 1917, by R. C. Carson.
The Liberty closed after about 3 seasons in 1920.
The Ritz was very popular during its 11 years in operation, but the
times were changing by 1948, bringing about the end for the Ritz.
The theater has been mostly forgotten, except by a few who treasure
its historic part for the city of Gainsville.
Billy Holcomb Denison, Texas
The Texan Theater was opened by Griffith Circuit of Oklahoma City,
along with Harry Lowenstien of Ardmore, October, 7, 1931 at 300 East
California.
Equipped with 304 seating, it was opened in what had earlier been the
Palace Theater.
The Palace was actually opened across the street in October 1924 by
S. Bertram, and J. H. Thiesen, but after a big fire damaged the show
place in 1927, the two moved the theater across the street.
The Palace bit the dust in early 1931, but within 6 months, the place
was refurbished, and opened as the Texan, October, 7 1931.
Joe Poole was named first manager, but within a couple months Foster
Lyman took over operations.
A. V. Wade purchased the Texan in 1935, and operated the theater for
the next 11 years.
The Texan met the end in June 1946, but just before Christmas a huge
celebration took place when L. C. Dennis reopened, and renamed it the
Dennis.
The Dennis was very popular during its 6 years in operation.
E. W. Capps pulled down the Dennis Marquee on January 21, 1953, and
put up its last one, Chief.
The Chief met headon with progress, on April, 30, 1955, which ended
its three decades of being one of Gainsvilles popular show houses.
During its time, it was known as Palace, Texan, Dennis, and Chief.
The Wades came to town in 1924, and during their reign operated the
Majestic, Cozy, Lyric, Plaza, Texan, Ritz, and their prize State.
L. C. Dennis also opearated the Rio, Star, HiHo Drive In, and Rio at
Collinsville.
I will be putting up the history of the other Gainsville Theaters.
Many of them were the same, but had only name changes.
Majestic, Isis, Liberty, Electric Air Dome.
Billy Holcomb, Denison, Texas
which would be its final handle.
Odessa had many theaters, and I will be putting up their history.
Anyone who lives in Odessa can read my booklet on the history of
Odessa movie theaters at the Public Library.
Other Odessa theaters included!
SCOTT-ECTOR-PLAZA-TEXAS-LYRIC-RIO-ODESSA-PALACE-STATE-HARLEM-
Drive In’s Included!!
CACTUS—TERRACE—BRONCHO—PLAINS-TWIN VUE, which became HOLIDAY,
which in turn became the VIDEO PARK.
Multi theaters included!
WINWOOD-PERMIAN 4-NORTH PARK 6-CINEMA7-PERMIAN PALACE-CENTURY 12
billy holcomb
The NICKELODEON was the first movie theater in Honey Grove.
Opened by Bob Byran on the West side of the square about 1911.
At the NICKELODEON, Harry Thompson, and Grady Ragsdale would
sing as Bee Tidwell played the piano, while slides were shown.
Two theaters BON TON & HOME, were opened in the early teens on
the South side of the square.
The BON TOO was located near the west end of the block, while the
HOME was located in the building occupied by John Black for many
years.
The TOPIC theater was located in the middle of the block on the
West side of the square.
Opened in 1921 by Alver Gill who also opened the STRAND in about 1923.
The STRAND was the most popular for many years, but it started
downhill when the STATE took over popularity, but it did open on
rare occasions until finally shutting down for good about 1944.
I enjoyed many hours in the STRAND, STATE, and GROVE.
I refer to them as! THE GREAT MOVIE PALACES OF HONEY GROVE.
Billy Holcomb Denison,Texas.
The STATE Theater at Honey Grove was my introdustion to movies at
the tender age of 4.
My first movie to see was RED RIVER VALLEY with GENE AUTRY, who still
is my favorite movie star after 65 years.
The STATE was opened in 1940 on the East side of the square.
It was filled to capacity during its heyday.
The STATE was opened by TRI STATES Theater Circuit, when they decided
to shut down the STRAND, which was located a few doors North from the
current Library.
The Braudrick sisters worked at the STRAND, moving over to the STATE
for a spell.
The STATE met the end in 1950 when the all new GROVE was opened on the North side of the square to meet the demands of overcrowding.
All that remains of the STATE is the colorful sidewalk leading the
folks to the box office.
The GROVE burned in 1956, and it was moved to the Southeast corner
of Highway 82.
Other old time theaters of Honey Grove included: NICKELODEON, BON TON, HOME,and the TOPIC…
BILLY HOLCOMB DENISON, TEXAS
The RIO Theater was first opened in 1936 by the Scott Family at 120
West 4th Street in a building first opened in 1928 by Joe Rice called
PALACE, and later the STATE operated by James King, with 400 seating.
The second RIO was opened at the corner of 6th, and Grant January 10
1942 with 800 seating.
The first SCOTT with 962 seating was opened in February 1947, next
door to the second RIO.
The RIO burned down in January 1957, but the structure was restored,
but never again a movie theater.
The new SCOTT opened at 600 North Texas in 1959, and the old marquee
saying RIO went up on the original SCOTT.
The three Rio theaters are fondly remembered, but the Scott has left
such an impact on the city, it is not remembered to have once stood
in the structure we all remember as the RIO.
The RIO was always my favorite, and i love all three sites where it
once ruled..Billy Holcomb
The main closed in 1957, and spent a couple years as the Parisian,
Not to be confused by the early day Parisian, which later became
the Plaza
The Hitching Post had a spinoff in San Francisco opened in 1944
by Robert L. Lippert called! Roundup, which lasted about 4 years
runnign double feature westerns almost identical to the Hitching Post
Check it Out billy h.
The Historic State, 200 East California had the biggest celebration
ever, during its grand opening October, 27, 1938.
The A. V. Wade Family almost built the structure from ground up.
The State has survived the ravages of time, so far.
Hopefully, it can continue to keep its place in minds of its people.
The State originally opened as Majestic, by joe Hunnicut January 11,
1915
This was acually the third Majestic, the first was opened in 1905 by
the Harrison brothers on the east side of the square, on its North
End at California.
The Harrison’s also operated a second theate Favorite, next door to
their Majestic, but both were gone within two years.
The second Majestic for the city was opened in October, 1907 at 113 East California, by Hoyt & Ruby Kirkpatrick, who also was opened the
Happy Hour theater at 114 north Dixon, which lasted only six months.
The Kirkpaticks headed out for Fort Smith, Arkansas in March, 1908,
selling out to Henry Bertram.
In 1912, Joe Poole & W. L. Greenhill who was also running movies at
the old Opera House on South Rusk joined Bertram for the next 3 years
Joe Hunnicut took over operations after Christmas 1914, promply shut
down the doors, remodeled the site at 300 east California, reopened
the Majestic with an entire city celebration.
A. V. Wade came to town in 1924, starting years of movie operations
The Majestic was completely refurbished, with a magnificent grand
opening,September, 8, 1932.
The State took over the historic location, October, 27, 1938.
The Wades moved on in 1951, selling out to Frontier theaters from
Dallas, who operated the showplace 18 years.
Commonwealth Theaters, Kansas City, bought the State in 1969, and
kept it rolling until 1986, when they sold out to the Bartons.
Since that time, the theater has had its ups, and downs, but it is
nice to drive through Gainsville, remembering past glory when the
State was king. billy holcomb, denison, texas
The Ritz Theater opened with a magnificent celebration October, 2, 1937, at 108 North Commerce.
Gainsville Pioneer A. V. Wade who was operating the Texan,and Plaza
noted seating capacity at the Ritz was 300.
The theater had the location for one of the citys earliest theaters,
Liberty, which had been opened in September, 1917, by R. C. Carson.
The Liberty closed after about 3 seasons in 1920.
The Ritz was very popular during its 11 years in operation, but the
times were changing by 1948, bringing about the end for the Ritz.
The theater has been mostly forgotten, except by a few who treasure
its historic part for the city of Gainsville.
Billy Holcomb Denison, Texas
The Texan Theater was opened by Griffith Circuit of Oklahoma City,
along with Harry Lowenstien of Ardmore, October, 7, 1931 at 300 East
California.
Equipped with 304 seating, it was opened in what had earlier been the
Palace Theater.
The Palace was actually opened across the street in October 1924 by
S. Bertram, and J. H. Thiesen, but after a big fire damaged the show
place in 1927, the two moved the theater across the street.
The Palace bit the dust in early 1931, but within 6 months, the place
was refurbished, and opened as the Texan, October, 7 1931.
Joe Poole was named first manager, but within a couple months Foster
Lyman took over operations.
A. V. Wade purchased the Texan in 1935, and operated the theater for
the next 11 years.
The Texan met the end in June 1946, but just before Christmas a huge
celebration took place when L. C. Dennis reopened, and renamed it the
Dennis.
The Dennis was very popular during its 6 years in operation.
E. W. Capps pulled down the Dennis Marquee on January 21, 1953, and
put up its last one, Chief.
The Chief met headon with progress, on April, 30, 1955, which ended
its three decades of being one of Gainsvilles popular show houses.
During its time, it was known as Palace, Texan, Dennis, and Chief.
The Wades came to town in 1924, and during their reign operated the
Majestic, Cozy, Lyric, Plaza, Texan, Ritz, and their prize State.
L. C. Dennis also opearated the Rio, Star, HiHo Drive In, and Rio at
Collinsville.
I will be putting up the history of the other Gainsville Theaters.
Many of them were the same, but had only name changes.
Majestic, Isis, Liberty, Electric Air Dome.
Billy Holcomb, Denison, Texas
which would be its final handle.
Odessa had many theaters, and I will be putting up their history.
Anyone who lives in Odessa can read my booklet on the history of
Odessa movie theaters at the Public Library.
Other Odessa theaters included!
SCOTT-ECTOR-PLAZA-TEXAS-LYRIC-RIO-ODESSA-PALACE-STATE-HARLEM-
Drive In’s Included!!
CACTUS—TERRACE—BRONCHO—PLAINS-TWIN VUE, which became HOLIDAY,
which in turn became the VIDEO PARK.
Multi theaters included!
WINWOOD-PERMIAN 4-NORTH PARK 6-CINEMA7-PERMIAN PALACE-CENTURY 12
billy holcomb
The NICKELODEON was the first movie theater in Honey Grove.
Opened by Bob Byran on the West side of the square about 1911.
At the NICKELODEON, Harry Thompson, and Grady Ragsdale would
sing as Bee Tidwell played the piano, while slides were shown.
Two theaters BON TON & HOME, were opened in the early teens on
the South side of the square.
The BON TOO was located near the west end of the block, while the
HOME was located in the building occupied by John Black for many
years.
The TOPIC theater was located in the middle of the block on the
West side of the square.
Opened in 1921 by Alver Gill who also opened the STRAND in about 1923.
The STRAND was the most popular for many years, but it started
downhill when the STATE took over popularity, but it did open on
rare occasions until finally shutting down for good about 1944.
I enjoyed many hours in the STRAND, STATE, and GROVE.
I refer to them as! THE GREAT MOVIE PALACES OF HONEY GROVE.
Billy Holcomb Denison,Texas.
The STATE Theater at Honey Grove was my introdustion to movies at
the tender age of 4.
My first movie to see was RED RIVER VALLEY with GENE AUTRY, who still
is my favorite movie star after 65 years.
The STATE was opened in 1940 on the East side of the square.
It was filled to capacity during its heyday.
The STATE was opened by TRI STATES Theater Circuit, when they decided
to shut down the STRAND, which was located a few doors North from the
current Library.
The Braudrick sisters worked at the STRAND, moving over to the STATE
for a spell.
The STATE met the end in 1950 when the all new GROVE was opened on the North side of the square to meet the demands of overcrowding.
All that remains of the STATE is the colorful sidewalk leading the
folks to the box office.
The GROVE burned in 1956, and it was moved to the Southeast corner
of Highway 82.
Other old time theaters of Honey Grove included: NICKELODEON, BON TON, HOME,and the TOPIC…
BILLY HOLCOMB DENISON, TEXAS
The RIO Theater was first opened in 1936 by the Scott Family at 120
West 4th Street in a building first opened in 1928 by Joe Rice called
PALACE, and later the STATE operated by James King, with 400 seating.
The second RIO was opened at the corner of 6th, and Grant January 10
1942 with 800 seating.
The first SCOTT with 962 seating was opened in February 1947, next
door to the second RIO.
The RIO burned down in January 1957, but the structure was restored,
but never again a movie theater.
The new SCOTT opened at 600 North Texas in 1959, and the old marquee
saying RIO went up on the original SCOTT.
The three Rio theaters are fondly remembered, but the Scott has left
such an impact on the city, it is not remembered to have once stood
in the structure we all remember as the RIO.
The RIO was always my favorite, and i love all three sites where it
once ruled..Billy Holcomb