Rialto Theatre

According to the Foard County News, the name of the new theatre, “Rialto” was suggested by Irving Fish in Crowell. He won $10 for the name. The new theatre opened its doors on Monday night, December 6, 1926, and was opened by E.L. Draper. A new pipe organ was installed that same month. By April 2, 1936, the Rialto Theatre had been remodeled increasing the seating from 350 to 400-seats. L.F. Campbell and R.B. Moon bought the Rialto Theatre on February 4, 1935, from E.L.Draper. Mr. Campbell bought out Mr. Moon several weeks later. By October 1936, Harry S. Leon bought the Rialto Theatre from L.F. Campell. Dwight Moody was the manager of the theatre at the time.

On July 9, 1940, the Rialto Theatre burned and was a total loss. On July 18, 1940, efforts were made to rebuild the theatre lengthening the building to 130 feet and redesigning the theatre. In January 1954, the Rialto Theatre was sold to Roy Hanson purchasing the theatre from Theatre Enterprises, of Dallas. By July of 1955, Roy Hanson sold the Rialto Theatre to Mo-Kan Theatre Enterprises of Dallas. The theatre would close and re-open many times until June 1960 when the Rialto Theatre closed for the final time. In February 1967, Mike Bird bought the Rialto Theatre building and began demolishing the structure. The brick walls were lowered to the height of adjacent buildings, the sloping floor was leveled, the length of the building was reduced to 50 feet, and the front was redesigned to house a barber shop and cafe.

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