Hippodrome Theatre

215 Cedar Street,
Julesburg, CO 80737

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Related Websites

Hippodrome Theatre - Julesburg (Official)

Additional Info

Functions: Movies (First Run), Performing Arts

Previous Names: New Hipp Theatre, Chaka Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 1970.474.9977

Nearby Theaters

Hippodrome Theatre ...Julesburg Colorado

Opened as the New Hipp Theatre on July 22, 1919 with Douglas Fairbanks in “The Knickerbocker Buckeroo”. A week later it became the Hippodrome Theatre. It had a seating capacity of 500. It was closed in December 1922. Taken over by new operators, it reopened in March 1923. Sold again in 1924, it was remodeled and was renamed Chaka Theatre. It was closed around June 1996. It reopened as the Hippodrome Theatre in early-1997.

Contributed by Ken McIntyre

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

kornpopper76
kornpopper76 on August 20, 2013 at 5:14 pm

The Hippodrome “opened July 22, 1919 with the feature The Knickerbocker Buckeroo starring Douglas Fairbanks…The building survived several fires, a tornado in 1947, and interior alterations. The retention of the original pre-neon sign is particularly remarkable…The Hippodrome…is listed in the State Register of Historic Properties.” (from Colorado History/NOW, “Do you know this building?”)

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on September 18, 2019 at 12:04 am

Boxoffice, Jan. 15, 1949: “JULESBURG, COLO. – Lynn Zorn, 38, owner of the Hippodrome Theatre here, died from a heart attack brought on by shoveling snow in the recent blizzard. Zorn has operated the Hippodrome for a number of years, since the death of his monther.”

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on August 15, 2020 at 1:40 am

I think it’s simply renovated

SethG
SethG on April 27, 2023 at 4:42 pm

Website needs to be corrected to: https://www.hippodromeartscentre.com/

From the history section on the website, it was closed in December 1922, purchased in March 1923 (and presumably reopened shortly thereafter), sold again in March 1924, remodeled and renamed the Chaka, and closed around June of 1996. It then reopened under the Hippodrome name sometime around early 1997. No mention of the Hipp name, which I suspect is just a nickname.

I’m wondering how old the sign really is. It certainly looks like the original, but it definitely wasn’t on the building in the older photos. Either they found it down in the basement, or they recreated it.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 1, 2023 at 6:20 am

An April 24, 2019 article in the Julesburg Advocate noted the centennial of the Hippodrome Theatre taking place that week. The article also notes the brief use of the name New Hipp Theatre for the new house in 1919:

“To clarify Hipp vs. Hippodrome: In February, 1913, Davis and Brock were new managers of the Plezol theatre located at 102 E. 1st and were making extensive repairs. They changed the name to Hipp. A. E. Lanning purchased the business from C. W. Rozell early in 1919. Rozell had been managing the Hipp for three years. When Lanning’s new Hippodrome theatre building was completed at 215 Cedar, the name Hipp followed him in ads and news items. Project researchers use July 22, 1919 as the date to distinguish between the two locations. Even the Grand Opening advertisement for 215 Cedar was headed ‘NEW HIPP THEATRE.’ One week later, a one column ad displayed ‘Hippodrome:’ however, for years editors continued to have Hipp-relapses and confuse the issue.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on April 17, 2024 at 11:24 pm

Based on the preponderance of notes in Boxoffice, I’d guess that the theatre wasn’t named the Chaka until 1973. Here are a few of those clips.

Boxoffice, Feb. 28, 1966: “Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg, traveled to Iowa for her parents' 50th wedding anniversary.”

Boxoffice, May 6, 1968: “Edward, son of Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg, Colo., has been elected president of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Colorado State University.”

Boxoffice, March 1, 1971: “JULESBURG, COLO. - Funeral services were held here at the Julesburg Methodist Church for Elizabeth K. Zorn … Along with her sister-in-law Marie Zorn, she operated the Zorn Theatre and was a true pioneer in the field of exhibition. She was active in the operation of the theater up until the time of her death.”

Boxoffice, March 22, 1971: “In town (Denver) to set dates were Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg”

Boxoffice, Jan. 22, 1973: “Charles “Chad” DeCastro and his wife Kay, new owners of the Hippodrome Theatre in Julesburg, report that a major remodeling and redecorating program is being planned for the movie house. They hope to have the building ready for film exhibition early this spring. The DeCastros purchased the historic Hippodrome Theatre at auction from the Zorn estate. They also own and operate the Peerless Theatre at Holyoke, Colo. The updating will include new restrooms, a new concession stand and many other major improvements, DeCastro said.”

Boxoffice, April 30, 1973: “E. J. Buhr has taken over operation of the Moon Theatre, Stratton, from C. A. Decastro. The latter will continue to operate the Peerless in Holyoke and the newly opened Chaka in Julesburg”

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