Oiler Theatre

Technically, there were two Oiler Theaters - both in the same spot in Goose Creek. Goose Creek was one of the Tri-Cities along with Pelly and Baytown until the three towns were combined into one - Baytown - in 1948. The Oiler Theatre was one of the earliest theatres in town arriving when the town’s oil holdings were paying out. Located across from the train depot, Humble Oil employees were brought in on a special passenger train every Wednesday and Saturday to attend films at the Oiler Theatre.

Goose Creek Amusement ran the venue back in 1919 - notably George McKinstry Shorty Spanier was the projectionist. The first Oiler Theatre, a wood framed structure, burned down in July of 1921. It was rebuilt quickly as the “new” Oiler Theatre opening on September 20, 1921. Humble Oil would create its own theatre space and it was in use from 1925 to 1929 which may have hurt the Oiler’s business. And the opening of the Texas Theatre and the advent of sound ended the “new” Oiler’s run of films.

Unable to convert to sound, the building was used for sporadic live events including wrestling and church services. It was then used as a furniture store’s storage. The building burned down on August 5, 1974 and its remnants were demolished shortly thereafter.

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