Knob Hill Theater - Capitol Hill - Oklahoma City, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 26.357 W 097° 31.214
14S E 634310 N 3922765
This theater building was originally known as the Knob Hill Theater, and more recently as the Oklahoma Opry.
Waymark Code: WMF97W
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 09/13/2012
Views: 7
The theater building at 404 W. Commerce (formerly S. W. 25th Street) is located in the Capitol Hill section of Oklahoma City. Established in 1904, Capitol Hill was originally its own separate town, but was later annexed to OKC. This building was constructed in 1946 and was known as the Knob Hill Theater. A flyer announcing its grand opening described it as "Air-conditioned, modern, comfortable seating, latest in projection and sound with every facility including cry room and smoking room, as well as 2 acres of free parking. The first film shown here was The Well-Groomed Bride, starring Ray Milland and Olivia de Havilland. Adult seats were 40 cents, and children 10 cents."
It operated as a theater until 1973, after which an occasional event was held here, such as the Baptist Revival meeting in October 1973. The theater re-opened on April 15, 1980 as the Oklahoma Opry. The mezzanine was in shambles by that time, but the Opry employees spent countless hours painting and refurbishing the orchestra section, which held 600. They opened with country music shows, and later included gospel and bluegrass. The Opry stayed open until approximately 2011 when it moved to a theater in the Stockyards City business district.
Today, the building is vacant and for lease. The two-story brick building has a tall neon sign which still reads "OKLA OPRY" but the neon features on the sign and marquee are broken and no longer workable. A over-sized wood guitar display still stands in the lobby, but the building has seen better days. Hopefully, it will become part of the refurbishing of Capitol Hill in the months to come. A photo in the gallery shows the theater as it appeared in 1949. This photo was taken from a framed photo on the wall of a local restaurant.
Year Theater Opened: 1946
Ticket Price (local currency): 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Number of Screen(s): 1
Matinee Price (local currency): Not Listed
Concessions Available: Not Listed
Web site: 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.