The McSwain Theatre is a 560-seat former cinema, and present day theater and music venue, located in Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.
 | |
| Address | 130 W. Main Street Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Owner | Chickasaw Nation |
| Capacity | 574 |
| Current use | theater, music venue, art gallery |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1920 |
| Reopened | 2009 |
| Years active | 1920-1988, 1991-2003, 2009-Present |
| Architect | Mission Revival Style |
| Website | |
| http://www.McSwainTheatre.com | |
The theatre was founded in 1920 by Foster McSwain, as a venue for silent films and vaudeville performances, and after 1935 for talkies movies and local movie premieres.[1]
History
edit20th century
editThe McSwain Theatre is housed in a three-story, Spanish Colonial Mission Revival Style building, that opened on March 30, 1920.[2] The first silent film screened in the McSwain was Suds, starring Mary Pickford, on July 19, 1920.[3]
In 1935, the theatre underwent its first renovations. New equipment to accommodate the evolution of movies with sound was installed, along with air conditioning, a balcony, and new seating.[3] Roy Rogers and Dale Evans appeared at the theatre on October 30, 1946 for the world premiere of their film Home in Oklahoma.[4] In 1949, Robert Preston and Susan Hayward attended the world premiere of Tulsa at the McSwain.[5]
Due to competition and economic difficulties, the McSwain Theatre was closed in 1988. In 1991, Paul Alford purchased the property in order to transform it into a musical venue hall, holding its first performance on October 17, 1992. Under Alford's ownership, the theatre showcased performances by local musical acts, and stars from Nashville, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri.[3]
21st century
editIn 2002, upon the death of Alford, the theatre was acquired by the Chickasaw Nation and underwent five years of renovations.[1][3] An art gallery was added in 2009.[6] The McSwain Theatre held a ribbon cutting with Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby on July 17, 2009, and its grand re-opening on the evening of July 25, 2009. It featured a concert by country artists Jeff Bates, Mark Wills, and Trent Willmon.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b Whelchel, Lindsay, "Chickasaws bring back golden years to McSwain”, Routes Magazine, University of Oklahoma, April 22, 2011.
- ^ “Finishing Touches”, Ada Evening News, May 4, 2009
- ^ a b c d "McSwain Theatre". Archived from the original on 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ Strickland, Dare, Ada, 2011, p 59.
- ^ a b "Ribbon cut Friday on McSwain Theatre, Ada Evening News, July 21, 2009
- ^ "McSwain Theatre", Profile at Travel Oklahoma
External links
edit34°46′37.11″N 96°40′48.19″W / 34.7769750°N 96.6800528°W
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