Brauntex Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brauntex Theater
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Brauntex Theater in 2010
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 Brauntex Theater
Location in Texas
Brauntex Theater
Location in the United States
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| Location | 290 W. San Antonio, New Braunfels, Texas |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1942 |
| Built by | Edwin A. Hanz, Hanz Construction Co. |
| Architect | Jack Corgan, W.J. Moore |
| Architectural style | Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000240 |
| Added to NRHP | March 24, 2008 |
The Brauntex Theatre is a cool old building in downtown New Braunfels, Texas. It used to be a fancy movie theater, but now it's a place where you can watch live shows and concerts! It was built a long time ago in 1942. The theater has a special design called Moderne. It's even listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical spot.
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A Look Back: The Brauntex Theatre's Early Days
The Brauntex Theatre first opened its doors in January 1942. This was right after Pearl Harbor was attacked. The United States had just entered World War II. People needed a place to relax and forget their worries. They also wanted to catch up on news about the war.
The first movie shown was Birth of the Blues, starring Bing Crosby. At that time, New Braunfels had other theaters. But the Brauntex was the newest and best. It had all the latest technology. A fire at another theater, the Palace, made the Brauntex even more important.
The Griffith Company owned the theater. Its design was similar to another theater in New Cordell, Oklahoma. The Brauntex was a key part of downtown New Braunfels for 50 years. Famous people even visited! For example, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez appeared there. He was filming the John Wayne movie The Alamo.
In the 1960s, the theater changed. Before, people of different races had to sit in separate areas. After the 1960s, everyone could sit anywhere they wanted. A ticket upstairs cost 40 cents, and downstairs was 50 cents.
Saving the Brauntex: A Community Effort
Over time, the Brauntex Theatre became old and run-down. The fancy ushers and bright neon sign were gone. The seats were broken, and the building smelled like smoke. But even through the dust, you could still see its beautiful details.
In September 1998, a group of people decided to save the theater. This group included city leaders, artists, engineers, and bank officials. Many other concerned citizens joined in too. Their plan grew, and soon the whole city wanted to help save this historic building.
This group of 36 people met often. They thought about what the building needed. They also imagined what it could become. They decided to turn the old movie theater into a full-scale performing arts center. A new group, the Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Association, would run it.
Overcoming Challenges: Floods and Fundraising
The plan to save the theater had to wait. This was because of big floods in Central Texas in October 1998. After the city of New Braunfels recovered, the renovation plan started again.
In July 1999, the Association became an official non-profit group. They chose leaders and hired experts to help. On December 10, 1999, the Association officially bought the Brauntex Theatre. It was a run-down building, but they saw its potential.
Bringing the Theater Back to Life
Renovation work began almost right away. People drew plans and shared ideas. Money was raised to give the theater a much-needed makeover. One big change was making the tiny movie stage much larger. This new stage was perfect for live performances.
Another major change was fixing the balcony. The previous owner had closed it off to create a second small theater. The renovation team brought the balcony back to its original glory.
Many local groups helped with the renovation. The USMC Junior ROTC from New Braunfels High School volunteered their time. A group of women called themselves the "Brauntex Sweatshop." They sewed 600 seat covers by hand!
The renovation finished quickly. The grand reopening of the Brauntex Theatre was a huge success. The San Antonio Symphony performed on the new stage. Opening night was completely sold out. It was a proud moment for this once-great movie palace.
See also
