Jefferson Theatre

Jefferson Theater
	Jefferson Theater
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
	U.S. Historic district; Contributing property
	Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
	The theater in 2024
	Jefferson Theater Jefferson Theater
Location	345 Fannin St.,; Beaumont, Texas
Coordinates	30°4′54″N 94°5′52″W / 30.08167°N 94.09778°W
Area	0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
Built	1927
Architect	Emile Weil, Inc.
Website	Jefferson Theatre
Part of	Beaumont Commercial District (ID78002959)
NRHP reference No.	78002962
RTHL No.	10537
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	January 30, 1978
Designated CP	April 14, 1978
Designated RTHL	1978

The Jefferson Theatre is a historic performing arts theatre on Fannin Street in downtown Beaumont, Texas. Designed by Emile Weil and built in 1927, it is an example of Old Spanish architecture and seats over 1400. The Jefferson Amusement Company built the theatre, which Saenger Amusements owned. The theatre is featured on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The theatre recently underwent a comprehensive multimillion-dollar renovation. It is also one of the few theatres in the country containing its original Morton organ, produced by the Robert Morton Organ Company.^[2]

History

Designed by the renowned architect Emile Weil, the Jefferson Theatre opened on November 14, 1927, at a cost of nearly $1 million. The theater, originally designed for the Jefferson Amusement Company, boasts a 3-manual, 8-rank Robert Morton organ.^[3] A five-day premiere of the recently released "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946) was held at the Jefferson Theatre from March 4-8, 1947, with star James Stewart and director Frank Capra in attendance on March 4, 1947.^[2] The theatre closed in 1972 due to a loss of interest in downtown.

By 1997, the theatre was operational again, but was closed in September 2000 for a complete restoration and renovation. The 6.5 million dollar restoration was completed in 2003. As of 2010^[update], the City of Beaumont operates the theatre while the Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society oversees the preservation, promotion, and use of the theatre.^[4]

Performances

Since the renovation, several high-profile artists have performed at the theatre, including Joan Rivers, The Temptations, Lou Rawls, George Carlin, the Doobie Brothers, and Lyle Lovett. The theatre also hosts various local acts and events and is home to an annual film festival.

Hurricane Rita

In September 2005, the Vince Vaughn Wild West Comedy Show performance was canceled due to Hurricane Rita (which damaged the theatre and prompted a temporary closure for maintenance and repairs). The theatre reopened for business in December 2005.

Photo gallery

The auditorium.
Seating
Proscenium arch.
The detail from the stage.
Looking up.
Mezzanine decoration detail.
The Grand Chandelier
Auditorium Statuary
The lobby ceiling.
Grand Staircase
Lobby Statuary
Robert Morton Organ
Jefferson

References

^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
^ ^a ^b "Jefferson Theatre * 345 Fannin Street * Beaumont, Texas 77701". Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
^ "Jefferson Theatre - Beaumont, Texas".
^ Jefferson Theatre RestorationBeaumont Archived September 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine

External links

Media related to Jefferson Theatre at Wikimedia Commons

[nris-1] "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.

[beaumont-tx-complex.com-2] "Jefferson Theatre * 345 Fannin Street * Beaumont, Texas 77701". Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2011.

[3] "Jefferson Theatre - Beaumont, Texas".

[4] Jefferson Theatre RestorationBeaumont Archived September 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine

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v t e Beaumont Commercial District
Historic district on the National Register of Historic Places in Beaumont, Texas
Individually listed on the NRHP	Jefferson Theatre (RTHL)
Contributing properties	Crockett Street Edson Hotel First City Building First National Bank Building (RTHL) Gilbert Building Goodhue Building Hotel Beaumont Jack Brooks Federal Building Julie Rogers Theater Kyle Building Orleans Building San Jacinto Building Tyrrell Historical Library (RTHL)
Major non-contributing properties	Art Museum of Southeast Texas
National Register of Historic Places in Jefferson County Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Jefferson County

v t e National Register of Historic Places in Texas
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National parks	Big Bend National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park
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United States National Register of Historic Places listings Keeper of the Register History of the National Register of Historic Places Property types Historic district Contributing property