The Ritz Theater - Shawnee, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 19.649 W 096° 55.450
14S E 688679 N 3911337
This theater has been providing entertainment for 90 years.
Waymark Code: WMA1FN
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 10/31/2010
Views: 3
The Ritz Theater located at 10 West Main in downtown Shawnee was originally built as a dry goods store c. 1897. That same year, the building was expanded to its current 40 ft. width and was on the circuit of the state's vaudeville shows. As a theater, it was first called The Cozy, with the name being changed to The Ritz in 1926.
Shawnee's first talking movie was shown at the Ritz and renovations in those early days included an organ to accompany the silent movies. Admission was 5 cents.
A concession stand was operated out of the left corner of the building, with sales windows in the lobby and also on the street.
Operations ceased in 1987. In 1997 the family donated the building to the town to assist in preserving its history. The theater is currently operated on an occasional basis by SRDS, Inc. who are restoring the theater and curretly offering local and regional entertainment. SRDS is a member of the League of American Historical Theaters and the Ritz is officially one of their Save America's Theaters projects. [information taken from the website dhown below]
Year Theater Opened: 1897
Number of Screen(s): 1
Web site: [Web Link]
Ticket Price (local currency): Not Listed
Matinee Price (local currency): Not Listed
Concessions Available: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Must take a photo of the theater.
Please try to include yourself or gps in the picture.
Tell of your experience at the theater, if it is still a theater. If it is no longer a theater tell of an experience from the past at the theater, if this can be done.
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