Milam Theatre
106 W. First Street,
Cameron,
TX
76520
106 W. First Street,
Cameron,
TX
76520
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Rowley United Theatres Inc.
Previous Names: New Hefley Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The New Hefley Theatre was opened on November 15, 1920. It was operated by Sam Hefley. In 1931 it was renamed Milam Theatre. By 1957 the theatre was operated by Rowley United Theatres Inc..
The Milam Theatre closed in the early-1960’s and has since been demolished. The site of the theatre is now a parking lot.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
I Think This Is The Location That Opened In 1931. Before That, The City Of Cameron Used To Have The Wonderland Theatre, The New Hefley Theatre, The Auditorium Theatre And The Princess Theatre.
Motion Picture Exhibitor, May 2 1962: “Fred Smith, Belton, Tex., has taken over operation of the Preston Royal and the 77 Drive-In, Cameron, where the Milam was destroyed by fire last year.”
Sam Hefley announced this project in June of 1920 to replace Avera’s Drug Store and the new-build facility would cost $15,000. He opened the New Hefley Theatre at the address on November 15, 1920. It had a well-placed neighbor in the Palace of Sweets confectioner. In December of 1929, Hefley installed Vitaphone to show sound films at the New Hefley. But at the end of a 10-year lease, he sold it to Stanley H. Swift. Under his new operation, it changed names to the Milam Theatre late in 1930 named after the Texas Revolution military leader Benjamin Rush Milam. A fire in 1941 that almost destroyed the entire theater led to a major change that brought the theatre its streamlined modern look and new signage. On October 15, 1944, Rowley Theatre Circuit took on both the Milam and the Cameron Theatre.
The facility burned down on May 13, 1948 taking down the long-running Palace of Sweets in the process. However, a new Milam Theatre reopened on the spot likely using some elements of its foundation for a grand reopening of a New Milam Theatre on November 27, 1948. That Milam was gutted by fire on July 27, 1961 ending its run. The building stood gutted until tornado-like winds toppled one of its walls in March of 1972. It was razed shortly thereafter.