25th Street Theatre
1006 N. 25th Street,
Waco,
TX
76707
1006 N. 25th Street,
Waco,
TX
76707
9 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 164 comments
YES this theatre has been demolished. The City of Waco rebuilt a replica to house the Waco Fire Department Administration offices.
The neon vertical sign is the original, just restored to say “25th St. Station”. The nightclub was NEVER called “Premier Dance Club”…..it was called “25th Street”. One of the ad campaigns used “Wacos Premier Dance Club”, but that was NEVER it’s name. I don’t know why my original post and description keeps getting altered.
This venue’s 70mm presentations history is included in the recently-published article “70mm Presentations in Waco: A Chronology of 70mm Large Format Exhibition, 1962-Present”.
Opened November 29th, 1945.
Grand opening ad posted.
It HAS NOT been demolished.
Visited this week (June 2022) and found that the building still resembles the old theater and retains the vertical blade, but now reads “25th Street STATION” as befits its current role as part of Waco Fire Department.
https://www.wacotrib.com/news/local/th-street-theatre-demolition-begins/article_8f2fdefa-9cc7-5abd-b76d-5afddcf821b0.html#1
Demolition of this theatre has begun! A sad day for Waco, TX.
Drove by today (Aug 11 2019) & this structure still stands. The 25th St Theatre part of the marquee has been removed. Safety reasons I’m guessing. In such sad shape.. RAC Photography †
Theatre to be demolished. Demolition date not know at this time. https://www.wacotrib.com/news/fire/th-street-theatre-will-be-razed-for-new-fire-facility/article_27d417c5-d14b-5254-b2fc-c9742b9d907e.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR2JPl03LY-KRbLZZVZGKiwYZcc2CiLk5w_0ENHFeopiBmnqHio34S9BO3w
Unfortunately, the City OF Waco has purchased the 25th Street Theatre and the entire block, and will be using the space for a new fire station. It is unknown as to whether or not the theatre building will be incorporated into the plans.
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/city_of_waco/city-of-waco-set-to-buy-th-street-theatre-for/article_efcb328e-8d8d-5e98-b62a-286e23f07d48.html
A story about it just appeared in the Waco newspaper
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/business/owners-of-vacant-th-street-theatre-appear-ready-for-renovation/article_17c4fa49-299f-5db0-9331-4bab5b2b62bb.html
Final showing was July 4, 1982. Owner Plitt Theatres had considered making the theater a dollar house but reconsidered.
The building to the left is going to be renovated soon. The theater’s recent owner has passed away, so that is still up in the air to what will happen. The night club is also closing down and moving.
It’s going to be demolished if it is not purchased. The time horizon is very short on this. I believe all of the buildings (the theatre and the old print shop) plus the rest of the land which is vacant (and needed for parking)can be purchased for $50K. The purchasers would have to assume all liabilities for renovation or demolition depending on what they are able to negotiate with the city. I’m sure the city would rather see it renovated but they are quite clear that something HAS to happen SOON. My information is that some kind of conclusion will happen before the end of the year.
To brunt, or not to brunt … that is the question for Pooter, always.
racegirl8: Sorry to be so quick to make assumptions. Of course I know how passionate some of our friends are about the theatre and bringing her back to life … I definitely don’t mean to rain on their parade and I will be there to help when the time comes and if I am needed.
Milks4Pooter: There IS actually some people interested in doing something with the theatre although I’m not at liberty to discuss the fine details at the moment. I will just say most likely it will NOT be demolished as the people wanting to save it are fighting the city tooth and nail to be sure they keep their grubby hands off that building which holds so many memories. Just stay tuned for more updates as they warrant and are allowed to be discussed. Thank you!
The fact that the 25th Street Theatre has stood vacant so long without literally crumbling to the ground has everything to do with the skillful restoration performed by Mousey and his small team back in 1986 … but mostly it was Mousey. (All of you who knew him know that he was capable of doing the ENTIRE renovation of 2-5 by himself.)
I am saddened that the City of Waco and the estate of Mousey are now burdened with an eyesore and an expensive clean-up. But I am not at all surprised … seriously. I’m not surprised in the least.
Watching the slow death of yet another piece of Waco history is terribly depressing, but it has become quite obvious that there is no serious intent toward saving this structure. Too bad.
Poor City of Waco, the city just doesn’t seem to appreciate a good thing when it is staring them in the face. This isn’t the first time Waco has neglected something of great intrinsic value within her city limits, and I am confident it won’t be the last.
No worries here, though. The memories created in this theatre space and in a prior location (O.L.) over the decades are more precious to me than mortar and brick.
Thank you to everyone here who has helped to keep the memory of this once grand space, and our favorite mad-man, alive in our minds.
“Thank you … drive through!”
The City of Waco has initiated condemnation proceedings on the 25th Street Theatre and the adjacent buildings. No viable offers have been made to the owner(s) that would save the structure from the wrecking ball.
I took a few photos of the 25th Theatre. Sad to say, it’s not looking good. Real bad shape from what I could tell.. Seen here from July of 2012..
Randy A Carlisle Historical Photographer
Yes there IS a reunion on Sept 3, 2011……. If anyone has a Facebook page, all the details are on it.
I hope MOST of the people can attend this event, because this is the LAST reunion, that I will be having anything to do with. I have always loved the 25th Street Theatre (before and after it was a club), but it’s time to move on. I am sure the building will be saved and I will be apart of that, but the club years are long gone as are the theatre years. Little Richard always said “quit living in the past”, and he was right….some of us (myself included) have held on to the past for far too long. It’s time let go of the past (and some people from it) and look to the future, not only for the building, but for ourselves.
As I stated, there is a reunion in September, and if you would like to attend, either do a search on Facebook for it, or email me
Jake, is there a 25th Street Theater (nightclub) reunion happening in September (2011)? I hope racegirl8 and the others will contact you if the answer is ‘yes’. Would love to see the old gang again.
Good Comment and update,racegirls.
Hi All! checking back in after 6yrs to see how everyone is doing. I guess there’s nothing new to report on the 25th theatre as I would’ve heard about it. It still sits abandoned and rotting away but all the memories remain that I was proud to be a part of! Hopefully one day somebody with a big heart and a bank account to match will take possession of it (before something causes its possible demise) and fix it up so everybody can enjoy it once again. I have since moved to Dallas enjoying life up here. However, if by some chance something is done to save the 25th, I’ll most definitely come down to take part in any restoration efforts offering any help I can to bring it back to life! Yall don’t give up hope and keep the faith as I have a very good feeling there’s something wonderful meant for that place in the future! Long live the 25th!!! : )
Speaking of Grim I just noticed on the map the side street of the 25th. Ave. Theatre is Grim Ave.