Royal Theater

119 S. Grand Street,
Enid, OK 73701

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Griffith Amusement Company, Video Independent Theaters Inc.

Functions: Retail

Nearby Theaters

Royal Theater

This was an African-American theater. It was opened prior to 1938 and continued until at least 1955.

Contributed by Lauren Grubb

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on July 24, 2005 at 12:36 pm

Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook’s 1941 and 1943 editions as having a seating capacity of 300. It is listed in Film Daily Yearbooks 1949-1955 as operating as a Negro theatre. The 1950 edition gives a seating capacity of 339.

seymourcox
seymourcox on October 8, 2007 at 1:23 am

Seems the simpler the design the grander the name. To see vintage interior/exterior photos of this plain theatre type in word “Royal” …
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raybradley
raybradley on March 8, 2011 at 7:41 pm

This is what the former Royal Theatre looks like nowadays, facade covered over by sheet metal. Former Cherokee Theatre stands left of the Royal.

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Lauren Durbin
Lauren Durbin on July 12, 2011 at 5:25 pm

The address for the current occupant is 119 S. Grand. One can just barely see the top of the original facade peeking out of the ugly metal sheeting.

Mike Marshall
Mike Marshall on May 26, 2012 at 10:14 am

The Royal Theatre was in business from 1938 to 1950. It was operated by the Griffith Amusement Company in 1945 and Video Independent Theaters, Inc. in 1950.

Mike Marshall
Mike Marshall on May 28, 2012 at 1:48 am

The 1913 Enid City Directory lists a Royal Theatre (single screen, 300 seats) at 124 N. Independence (one block west and one block north of the Royal on S. Grand. The Quill ad may be referring to that theatre. The only other city directory I could find was dated 1926-27 and it doesn’t have a listing for a Royal Theatre.

Mike Marshall
Mike Marshall on May 28, 2012 at 2:15 am

That does sound like the Royal on the west side of the square (Independence St.) in downtown Enid. Thanks for the additional information. I wouldn’t have even thought of looking in the yearbooks so please continue to provide information as you find it. This is great!

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 15, 2015 at 12:12 am

1939 & 1944 photos added, photo credit Oklahoma Historical Society. Via the Enid Oklahoma Old Post Cards Facebook page

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