Emporia Granada Theatre
Emporia Granada Theatre | |
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| Location | 807 Commercial Emporia, Kansas |
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| Coordinates | 38°24′28″N 96°10′48″W / 38.40778°N 96.18000°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | Boller Brothers |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000693[1] |
| Added to NRHP | April 04, 1985 |
The Granada Theatre is a theatre located in Emporia, Kansas, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and was designed by the Boller Brothers.
History
The Granada Theatre was constructed in 1929 at a cost of $350,000 ($6.21 million in 2023 dollars[2]). The theatre was dedicated on October 3, 1929, in a speech by “The Sage of Emporia,” William Allen White. During its early years, the theatre attracted many famous performers. In addition to screening movies, it was used for everything from beauty contests to traveling vaudeville acts. It was leased for many years to the Fox Corporation and became known as the Fox Theatre.[3]
Architect Robert O. Boller, of Boller Brothers, Architects, designed the Granada Theatre. Boller Brothers were nationally known theatre designers with offices in Kansas City and Los Angeles.[3]
Like many grand old movie palaces of its era, the Granada’s popularity declined during the 1960s and 70′s. During this period, the building suffered from neglect and damage resulting from a leaking roof. It was closed in 1982. In April 1985, the theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, but, it was not until demolition threatened the building in 1994 that a group of citizens rallied to save the theatre.[3]
In cooperation with the Kansas Preservation Alliance, the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance was formed and acquired the building, saving it from destruction. Since then, the Alliance members and numerous volunteers have spent countless hours stabilizing and renovating the outside of the building and preparing for the interior phase of the project. Working cooperatively with other local arts, cultural and tourism organizations, the Alliance has developed a plan to make the Granada Theatre a keystone facility – a place that builds community.[3]
Board of directors
When a group of people, known as the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance, bought the Granada Theatre in 1994, they set up a Board of Directors to oversee everything done at the theatre. They raised money for renovating the theatre, as well. The Director of the Granada Theatre, Brian Williams, also reports to them.[4]
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Executive Members: [4]
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Full Board Membership: [4]
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Notable performances
- Joseph Hall, Top 10 finalist of America's Got Talent (season 3)[5]
- Oak Ridge Boys[6]
- The Bellamy Brothers[7]
- Kelley Hunt[8]
- Granger Smith (a.k.a. Earl Dibbles, Jr.)[9]
- Juice Newton & Exile[10]
- Joe Diffie[11]
- Marty Stuart & the Fabulous Superlatives[12]
- Lorrie Morgan[13]
- Kansas
- Wynonna Judd
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Granada Theatre's History
- ^ a b c Emporia granada Theatre's Board of Directors
- ^ Joseph Hall Returns for Christmas Show. May Concert was sold out.
- ^ Oak Ridge Boys in Emporia 9 November 2012
- ^ Bellamy Brothers Concert 5 September 2013
- ^ Kelley Hunt
- ^ Granger Smith/Earl Dibbles, Jr. Granger Smith
- ^ Juice Newton & Exile
- ^ Joe Diffie in Emporia
- ^ Marty Stuart
- ^ Lorrie Morgan
External links
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