Sooner Theater Building - Norman, Oklahoma
Posted by: 
gparkes
N 35° 13.271 W 097° 26.591
14S E 641684 N 3898682
Quick Description: This theater was designed and built by a native University of Oklahoma graduate in 1929.
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 10/24/2009 2:07:18 PM
Waymark Code: WM7GRH
Views: 3
Long Description:
In 1918, Harold Gimeno graduated from the University of Oklahoma
in Norman. He went on to the Harvard Graduate School of
Architecture. Returning in 1928, this would be his first structure
he would design and build. Located on the corner of Main Street and
the Railroad tracks this was perfectly situated for social
gatherings of the town. His structure would be built in the Spanish
Revival style. Few changes to the building have been made, however,
the biggest is the repacement of the marque.
Built for both movies and theater, today, sadly, there are no
movies being played. Its use now has returned
to"http://soonertheatre.org"> live theater as you can see from
the link. In its heyday, the theater sat 819; 585 on the main floor
and 324 in the balcony.
The area is an extremely historic area. Norman is one of the
original towns created during the land run of 1889. When the
Oklahoma Organic Act was passed in 1890, a year late, seven
counties were created, including this one. Norman was legislated as
the county seat. Citizens named the county after former President
Grover Cleveland. Needless to say, when President Cleveland was
re-elected in 1892, he rewarded politicians in the county.
Information gathered from the Nomination form for the
National Register of Historic Places for both this site, Sooner
Theater Building and the Norman Historic
District.