Esquire Theatre
213 W. Randolph Street,
Enid,
OK
73701
213 W. Randolph Street,
Enid,
OK
73701
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Griffith Amusement Company, Martin Theatres, Video Independent Theaters Inc.
Architects: Gates Corgan
Previous Names: Aztec Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Aztec Theatre was opened on January 9, 1928. It was operated by Griffith Amusement Company. It had 1,850-seats and was equipped with a Hillgreen, Lane & Company theatre organ. It was rebuilt and reopened on December 22, 1950 as the Esquire Theatre, with Patricia Neal in “Three Secrets”. In March 1969 it suffered damage from a fire. It reopened and continued to operate until 1985 when it was operated by Martin Theatres.
Contributed by
Lauren Grubb
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
The Aztec Theatre is not on David and Noelle Soren’s list of known Boller Brothers theaters, though the list does include Enid’s Billings Theatre, opened in 1921. A December 30, 1930, article about the La Nora Theatre in the Pampa Sunday News-Post of Pampa, Texas, mentioned the Aztec Theatre in Enid as one of the other theaters designed by Gates Corgan, architect of the La Nora. Corgan was both the architect and the contractor for Griffith Amusement company projects from the mid 1920s until 1939.
1937 photo added, photo credit Oklahoma Historical Society. Via the Enid Oklahoma Old Post Cards Facebook page.
Also a 1969 fire photo of the former Aztec as the Esquire courtesy of the Enid Oklahoma Old Post Cards Facebook page.
This theatre should be listed as the Esquire Theatre with an aka of Aztec Theztre. It was renamed the Esquire Theatre after a remodel by Video Independent and was known as such until its closing.
1936 photo added, photo credit Oklahoma Historical Society. Via the Enid Oklahoma Old Post Cards Facebook page.
The recent opening of the rebuilt Aztec Theatre as the Esquire was noted in the January 13, 1951 issue of Boxoffice.
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films in November 1954
Reopened as Esquire Theatre on December 22, 1950 with Patricia Neal in “Three Secrets” with no extras.
Closed in 1985 by Martin Theatres (likely under the Carmike brand).
It was last used as an indoor soccer arena as of 2013, but they may have moved to larger quarters. Downtown Enid History link with additional photos below.
https://www.downtownenidhistory.com/213-w-randolph/213-w-randolph-enid-ok