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 Lamar Theater - Lamar, Colorado Posted by:  iconions
N 38° 05.250 W 102° 37.140
13S E 708811 N 4218200
This two-story, Art Deco theater is located at 219 South Main Street in Lamar, Colorado.
Waymark Code: WM12CD4
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 04/26/2020
Views: 2
Although the Lamar Theatre was opened in November 1946, it’s HIGH Art Deco in style. This is truly a beautiful theatre, and it is amazingly preserved. It has all that “rounded angle” quality you’d expect along with fantastic mural work.
The Lamar Theatre shows first run movies nightly. It was built for owner Charlie Yeager. This hidden gem is nestled in downtown Lamar, CO, where its marquee lights up the night sky. For theatre fans, this one’s a delight!
- Cinema Treasures Website
On November 15th, 1946 the Lamar Theatre opened its doors. It has been an anchor of downtown Lamar for over 60 years. Although it was not built during the Art Deco time period, 1920 to 1939, the Lamar's architecture and styling is Art Deco. It has all the indirect lighting, neon, colored floodlights, curved edges and corners, chrome, mirrors, glass blocks, terrazzo flooring, pastel color schemes and murals with flowers and sunbursts that are characteristic of the Art Deco style.
The Lamar Theatre was built by the Atlas Theatre Corporation, a company owned by C.U. "Charlie" Yeager. He owned the Atlas, Atoz and Civic Theatre Corporations. Mr. Yeager hired a prominent Denver architect Charles D. Strong to design and build the Lamar. Mr. Strong designed a number of historically important buildings in the region, including eight buildings in the Sherman Street Historic District of Denver. The Theatre's decorative scheme was laid out for Mr. Yeager in Los Angeles and was executed by a Denver concern. A national publication (Boxoffice Magazine) featured the Lamar for its unique architecture and design in a March 29, 1947 article.
The Lamar was Mr. Yeager's first theatre and remained his "flagship". A longtime theatre manager for Atlas remembers a large photo of the Lamar above Mr. Yeager's desk for many years. Yeager's life story had elements of Horatio Alger. While working for Fox Inter-mountain Theatres as a district manager, Yeager devised the idea for a theatre promotion called "Bank Night". Bank Night "blossomed into an American institution" saving hundreds of theatres from bankruptcy during the depression. He started in the motion picture business as a small boy and eventually had not only theatres but a printing business, neon company, race horses and interest in a Las Vegas casino.
The Theatre was sold in 1979 after Mr. Yeagers death. Over the next 15 years the theatre changed ownership three times. The Lamar is now owned and operated by the Ross family. They purchased the theatre in December 1994.
The Lamar is architecturally unique and is in remarkable condition for its age. Although the theatre has undergone numerous improvements and renovations over the past 20 years, it has retained its historical character and architectural beauty that theatres built today can not approach. The Lamar is the only theatre in the area and has remained highly popular and profitable for over 60 years.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
Monolithic facade with green terra cotta and buff stucco
Aluminum-faced ticket booth with curved glass
Aquarium with tropical fish and unusual plants
Unusual and striking proscenium effect in auditorium
Stadium seating in and under the balcony
Pastel color scheme with beautiful floral mural work
Mural panels in fluorescent colors / black light activated
Abundant indirect cove lighting with neon and floodlights
Redundant lighting systems for changing ambiance
Curved/rounded angle design
Chrome poster cases
Illuminated glass blocks
Terrazzo flooring and sidewalk
Mirrored ceiling
Fifty foot wide marquee with neon, floodlights, three changing
boards and center fountain effect
- Lamar: The Beautiful Theater Website
Style: Art Deco
Structure Type: Culture/Entertainment
Architect: Charles D. Strong
Date Built: 1946
Supporting references: Not listed
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