Liberty Theatre - Eunice, LA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

Located on the corner of 2nd. St. and W. Park Ave. in downtown Eunice. Very historic Theater, and still writing history with the Saturday evening "RENDEZVOUS DES CAJUNS" CAJUN RADIO & T. V. SHOW Held every Saturday on stage.

Could not find a good history about the building, so a brief significant statement from the Register application, located here, states

The Liberty Theatre is locally significant in the area of theatre because of its historic role as the performing arts focal point for the City of Eunice and vicinity. In addition, it was the place for all community gatherings in general. From its completion in 1924 until the construction of the Queen Cinema in 1937, the Liberty Theatre was the only "Temple of Amusement" in the Eunice area. After that time it was the area's principal theatre because the Queen was started by the Liberty owners as a secondary outlet. The Liberty was the entertainment and performing arts mecca for the region. In addition to popular films, the proprietors supplied the public with operas, serious plays, musical comedies, and "high class vaudeville." Much of the Liberty's success was due to the extraordinary promotional activities of part owner J. C. Keller, Sr. Year after year Keller filled downtown Eunice with eager theatregoers and curious crowds anxious to see the Liberty's latest promotional gimmick. For example, at the theatre's opening Keller invited worthies from around Louisiana as well as Hollywood. The opening ceremonies were attended by Fattie Arbuckle. On another occasion a wire was strung from the Liberty across Second Street and a tightrope walker was hired to perform. Festivities were also attended by Walt Coffman, billed as the "principal clown" for the Barnum and Bailey organization. In October 1924 Keller sponsored a car raffle at the theatre with an attendance of 7,000. (The population of Eunice today is only about 11,000.) During the week of the raffle the Liberty drew 3,000 theatregoers. Over the years personal appearances at the Liberty were made by the likes of Tex Ritter, Jimmy Clanton, the Bowery Boys, and Roy Rogers. In many ways the Liberty became the heart of downtown Eunice, not only as a "Temple of Amusement," but in other respects as well. It was the place where meetings were held, where campaigning politicians came to speak, and where clubs met. It was also the place where fundraising events were held such as the locally legendary "womanless wedding" sponsored by the Rotary Club in March 1925. J. C. Keller himself contributed to the event by playing the part of the mother of the bride. Of course, this secondary role as a gathering place for community events was often assumed by theatres in Louisiana communities of the period.

Street address: 200 W. PArk Ave. Eunice, LA USA 70535 County / Borough / Parish: St. Landry Year listed: 1987 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event Periods of significance: 1900-1924 Historic function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture. Sub - Theater Current function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Privately owned?: Not Listed Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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