Howard Theater

Joe Vogel on June 8, 2026 at 11:14 pm

I suspect that this item I more recently ran across, from the April 4, 1914 MPW, is also about the Rex/Howard Theatre, given the builder’s name: “EDITOR BUILDING THEATER.

“A $10,000 theater is being built in Arkansas City., Kan., by Richard C. Howard, the editor of the Arkansas City Daily Traveler, published in that city. When completed the house will be leased for five years by H. Hill, who will install moving pictures.”

It might be that Howard’s deal with Mr. Hill fell through, and the house didn’t open until Mr. Burford appeared, or perhaps the theater was completed and opened as early as mid-1914, but Mr. Hill departed after operating it only a short time, leaving Howard free to lease the house to Burford. So far I’ve found no clues in the trade journals.

Joe Vogel on June 8, 2026 at 10:01 pm

A 1915 opening is near certain for Roy Burford’s Rex. The house is mentioned in this item from the November 27, 1915 issue of Moving Picture World: “Roy Burford’s Arkansas City Theater. Roy Burford came ‘out of the west’ to the ‘east’ of Kansas a year ago, and is assisting in the reconstruction of the moving picture business in Arkansas City, Kan. Mr. Burford counts nine years in connection with the industry, and his present property, the Rex, is a fit monument to his accomplishments. This is a beautiful theater seating 650-and its seats are often fully occupied.”

GaryL on February 6, 2017 at 8:02 pm

The photo is not one of the Howard Theater, rather the old Midland Hotel building, which is next door east of where the Howard sat. The Howard Theater was “deconstructed” about 40 years ago. :(

dognponyinc on June 1, 2010 at 1:21 am

from the Arkansas City traveler newspaper where i grew up.

the Howard theater was built in 1912 by E.H Howard and Roy Burford.

there was only one Howard Theater.

mike gilstrap