Rialto/Kiowa/Esquire Theater - Downtown Hobart Historic District - Hobart, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 01.419 W 099° 05.596
14S E 491491 N 3875669
This theater building is listed as Item 52 on the District nomination.
Waymark Code: WM11YZB
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 01/13/2020
Views: 1
This theater was constructed in 1930 in the Spanish Mission style. It is a one-story brick building with a flat roof, with areas of stucco. At the center of the facade a recessed bay has five small arched windows, with a two-row terra cotta tile faux roof. The outer bays each have a large multi-paned arched window.
The theater opened in 1930 as the Rialto. In 1936, the name was changed to the Kiowa Theater and operated under this name till the 1950's. The V-shaped marquee was constructed at this time. At the top of the two sides of the marquee the new name "ESQUIRE" is written in scrip. The theater entry has two aluminum and glass doors, flanked by large sidelights. At either end of the facade are storefronts. The single-screen theater was converted to two screens in 1970 and was the first Oklahoma theater to be converted to two screens. The theater closed approximately 1983. The theater appears to be vacant, and peering inside, it was in disarray. The marquee at the time of our visit had advertising for the town, and also the High School graduation.