Emporia Granada Theatre

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
Location807 Commercial
Emporia, Kansas
Coordinates38°24′28″N 96°10′48″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1929
ArchitectBoller Brothers
Architectural styleSpanish Colonial Revival
NRHP reference No.85000693[1]
Added to NRHPApril 04, 1985

History

The Granada Theatre was constructed in 1929 at a cost of $350,000 ($5.21 million in 2019 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]

Emporia Granada Theatre Logo

Board of directors

When 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]

Full Board Membership: [4]

Notable performances
Wynonna Judd performing at the Theatre on July 24, 2016

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2013-10-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2017-08-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2017-08-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Emporia, KS Event Calendar - Events in Emporia, Kansas". Americantowns.com. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  7. "Bellamy Brothers at Emporia Granada Theatre (05 Sep 2013)". Songkick.com. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  8. Murphy, Regina. "TONIGHT: Kelley Hunt returns for benefit concert". Emporia Gazette. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  9. "Home - The Emporia Granada Theatre". Emporiagranada.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2013.
  10. Regina Murphy. "Juice Newton and Exile perform Sunday". Emporia Gazette. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  11. "Joe Diffie in Emporia". Kvoe.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  12. "Marty Stuart is coming". Emporia Gazette. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  13. Gazette, Melissa Lowery Special to The. "Granada Theatre Brings Classic Country Music Concert Series to Emporia". Emporia Gazette. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
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