Washita Theatre
511 Chickahsa Avenue,
Chickasha,
OK
73018
511 Chickahsa Avenue,
Chickasha,
OK
73018
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Washita Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Architects: Jack M. Corgan, William J. Moore Jr.
Firms: Corgan & Moore
Functions: Live Theater
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Nearby Theaters
The Washita Theatre opened in 1941 with Ginger Rogers in “"Tom, Dick and Harry” & Bud Abbot & Lou Costello in “Hold That Ghost”. It replaced an original Washita Theatre which was destroyed by fire. Designed by architects Jack M. Corgan & Williamn J. Moore Jr., it featured a round tower structure in the center of the façade which was decorated in bands of red porcelain. It had a seating capacity for 900, in orchestra and balcony levels. The Washita Theatre remained a movie house for the next sixty years, but finally closed in April 2001.
The Chickasha Community Theatre purchased the Washita Theatre in downtown Chickasha, Oklahoma and renovated and restored the theatre into a venue for their theatre productions. The group had operated since 1994 without a permanent home and the purchase of the once immensely popular movie house fulfilled their dream.
The original artwork remains although it has been covered by burlap to contain sound in the now-twinned theatre.
The balcony had been previously enclosed to form a second screen.
The transformation into a legitimate theatre was take to nearly two years (back in 2001), although this was a little optimistic, and completion came in late-2009.
Contributed by
Cinema Treasures
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
This was a great little theatre. The owners even invented a little history calling it a “rare” stacked twin. Actually, it had an enclosed balcony making it a double screener. As of a few years ago it was in great shape. I saw the “Mummy Returns” there so it hasn’t been closed too long.
I am on the current Board of Directors for Chickasha Community Theatre. We are currently renovating the theater’s facade and plan to begin work on the interior within the next year. I would like to encourage everyone to drive by and see the work that has been done so far. We will be holding fundraisers to raise more money for the interior renovations.
If you would like to make a donation to the Washita Project, you may send them to CCT, P.O. Box 1687, Chickasha, OK 73023.
For more information about CCT, you can visit our website at www.chickashatheatre.org On the website you will find information about upcoming events and membership, as well as links to all the current board members. Feel free to email any of us with questions or comments.
You will most definitely want to look at these great images. Through vintage photographs the history of the Washita Theatre can be traced. It seems to have begun life as a Gothic opera house seating around 2200. Then in 1935 it received an economy Art Deco atmospheric makeover that was extremely enthusiastic. After the theatre burned on Dec. 27, 1939, it was rebuilt using zesty Southwestern streamline styling that gave the theatre an entire new character.
To view images type in word “washita” -
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A 1987 view of the Washita Theater in Chickasha here and here open and showing movies.
The Washita in 1995…
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The sign on the front of the building has been relit, so the completion of the renovation must not be too far off. Last I heard, they were projecting six months.
Here is a photo circa 1950s:
http://tinyurl.com/ybvda4d
Both recent and vintage images of the Washita Theatre can be found on this site-
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/280
Grand opening of the new Washita Theatre took place August 1, 1941 with Ginger Rogers in “Tom, Dick and Harry” with Abbott and Costello in “Hold That Ghost.”
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on October 23, 1954