Oto Theater
1620 1st Avenue,
Scottsbluff,
NE
69361
1620 1st Avenue,
Scottsbluff,
NE
69361
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Commonwealth Theaters Corp., Gibraltar Enterprises Inc., Midwest Theatres
Functions: Fraternal Hall
Nearby Theaters
Originally built in 1926 as a ballroom. It was converted into the Oto Theater, opening on November 26, 1936 with Doris Nolan in “The Man I Marry”. It was closed by Commonwealth Theatres in 1962. It had last featured Spanish language movies.
Contributed by
Billy Smith / Billy Holcomb / Don Lewis
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
The Biggers Drive-in in Scottsbuff was owned by Floyd Bigger.Wonder if he owned the Otoe Theatre?
From 2010 a photo of the Otoe Theater building in Scottsbluff.
I found a listing or the Otoe Theatre in 1939 with 300 seats. It was listed as closed in 1957. The building now houses a Knights of Columbus Hall.
The correct spelling of this theater’s name is Oto. It was named for the Native American tribe who once inhabited the region.
According to this article about the area’s theater history from the January 3, 2016, issue of the Scottsbluff Star-Herald, the building was erected in 1926 as a ballroom called Danceland, and was later converted into a theater.
An article in the January 14, 1962, issue of The Lincoln Star reported that the Midwest Amusement Company had recently sold the Midwest, Bluffs, and Oto Theatres in Scotsbluff to the Commonwealth Amusement Company of Kansas City. The Grove Theatre in nearby Gering was also sold.
According to the article Joe references above the address here for the Oto Theatre is incorrect. The article says it was at 1620 First Ave and is now an Elks Lodge. The building at 1620 does look like a former theatre!
The Oto Theatre launched for Midwest Amusement Circuit on November 26, 1936 with Doris Nolan in “The Man I Marry.” Commonwealth closed the venue in 1962.
Grand opening ad posted.