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.
Emporia Granada Theatre | |
 | |
   | |
| Location | 807 Commercial Emporia, Kansas |
|---|---|
| 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 |
History
editThe 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 70s. 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
editWhen 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]
Executive Members: [4]
- Kristi Henrikson-Mohn, President
- Gary Andrews, Vice-President
- Harry Stephens, Past-President
- Janis Meyer, Treasurer
- Mary Sue Wade, Secretary
- Sarah Harbaugh, Executive at Large
- Brad Harzman, Executive at Large
Full Board Membership: [4]
- Sue Blechl
- Scott Bolley
- Dr. William H. Clamurro
- Tyler Curtis
- Mary Downing
- Staci Hammon
- Rachel LeClear
- Roy Mann
- Janet Miley
- Janelle North
- Paula Sauder
- Dave Stormont
- Beth Thomas
- Tom Thompson
- Marge Trayer
- Jan Traylor
- Mike TurnBull
- Norma Watson
Notable performances
edit
- 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
- Lita Ford
References
edit- ^ "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 "History «". Archived from the original on 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2013-10-10.
- ^ a b c "Board of Directors & Staff « Emporia Granada Theatre". Archived from the original on 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
- ^ "Joseph Hall's ELVIS Rock n' Roll Remember Christmas Show 12/20 «". Archived from the original on 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
- ^ "Emporia, KS Event Calendar - Events in Emporia, Kansas". Americantowns.com. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Bellamy Brothers at Emporia Granada Theatre (05 Sep 2013)". Songkick.com. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ Murphy, Regina (25 May 2012). "TONIGHT: Kelley Hunt returns for benefit concert". Emporia Gazette. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Home - The Emporia Granada Theatre". Emporiagranada.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2013.
- ^ Regina Murphy (5 September 2014). "Juice Newton and Exile perform Sunday". Emporia Gazette. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Joe Diffie in Emporia". Kvoe.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Marty Stuart is coming". Emporia Gazette. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ Gazette, Melissa Lowery Special to The (25 July 2014). "Granada Theatre Brings Classic Country Music Concert Series to Emporia". Emporia Gazette. Retrieved 15 January 2019.