New Loma Theater
107 Manzaneres Avenue,
Socorro,
NM
87801
107 Manzaneres Avenue,
Socorro,
NM
87801
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Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 9, 1958: “Les Dollison has opened the new 500-seat Loma, Socorro, N. M. It replaces the former Loma, which burned some time back.”
This has reopened as the New Loma Theater
The city is looking for someone to run the theater. Otherwise it closes on Oct. 23rd.
You can read more here and here.
Photofrom November 2007
View link
A 1986 view of the Loma Theater in Socorro.
Here’s a 2006 view of the LOMA.
http://www.rushcreekgallery.com/lfop/index.html
This is not the same “Loma” Theater that burned in the 50s. That building was located several blocks away on the east side of the city plaza.
The current building housing the the Loma was built around the turn of the century as a large general store by the Price Brothers. The Price Brothers were bought out in 1904 by the Lowenstein Brothers, and the building is listed on the State Historic Register as the Price-Lowenstein Mercantile Building. It is a wood frame and brick building with a cavernous basement that runs the entire length of the building. Following the deaths of all three Lowenstein brothers, the building became a National Guard armory in 1921. The original Loma Theater was located several blocks away. It burned in 1957. Around the same time, a new armory was built outside of town, and the P-LM Building was rennovated to house the Loma, circa 1960.
The original auditorium featured seating for more than 600 in three sections; a large center section with wing sections on either side. The front of the theater featured bench seating for kids. A stage platform just in front of the screen was accessible by steps on either side of the auditorium. At the time it was privately-owned, and the owners used to stage contests for younger audiences (aisle races, talent shows, etc.) during weekend matinees in the 70s. The theater also featured two special viewing rooms located at the back of the auditorium. On the right side was a “crying roomâ€, accessible from the auditorium, where parents could take crying infants. To the left was a smoking room, accessible via a narrow stairway from the lobby. Sound was provided to these rooms via drive-in speakers!
The Loma underwent an extensive remodel around 1986. Both wing areas were removed, as were the special viewing rooms, effectively cutting seating in half. The left wing area became part of the adjacent First State Bank. The bench seating was removed along with the stage, and the screen was downsized and brought forward. The current auditorum has little more than half the floor space of the original. The original entrance alcove was done away with, resulting in the flat-faced building you see in the pictures. The facade was stuccoed to give it the apparence of Spanish Mission-style architecture.
Socorro means help in Spanish, which would come in handy if the theater was on fire.
My photograph of the LOMA THEATER.
www.flickr.com/photos/lastpictureshow/360169683
The Loma was reported as destroyed in a fire on 12/17/56. Apparently it was later rebuilt.
200 Escape Theater Fire At Socorro
Fire broke up a showing of “The Day the World Ended” and 200 theater patrons escaped safely as the flames destroyed three businesses here last night. The blaze raged for three hours before being brought under control about 10 p.m. Firemen from Magdalena and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology joined the Socorro volunteer department in fighting the fire that may have caused loss as high as $200,000.
Destroyed were the Loma Theater, the B&B Pool Hall and the Midway Garage, where the fire is thought to have originated. Firemen were able to save one of New Mexico’s historic buildings, the Park Hotelâ€"which is on the same block with the theater, garage and pool hall.
People in the theater said they had smelled smoke about 20 minutes before they were told to evacuate the building. A sudden puff of smoke filled the theater as patrons were leaving. There was no panic in the crowd and all persons moved out of the building in an orderly manner. Bill Strong, a Loma Theater employee, estimated damage to the theater alone at $50,000.
Is this still the original Trans-Lux company? Nice to know they still have theatres.
You can also view more about the Loma Theatre at http://www.transluxmovies.com/showtimes.php?tid=6 , and a photo can be viewed Here
Listed as operating in Film Daily Yearbook at least from the 1940 edition.