Elks Building and Theater facts for kids
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| Address | 117 E. Gurley St. |
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| Location | Prescott, Arizona |
| Type | Theater and Performing Arts Center |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1904 |
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Elks Building and Theater
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Area | 0 acres (0 ha) |
| Built | c.1905 |
| Architectural style | Early Commercial |
| MPS | Prescott Territorial Buildings MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 78003226 |
| Added to NRHP | December 14, 1978 |
The Prescott Elks Theater and Performing Arts Center is a beautiful old building. It is located in Prescott, Arizona. This theater was built in 1905. It was once an opera house. It could seat over 500 people. The building is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is known there as the Elks Building and Theater. Long ago, there were many "Elks' Opera Houses" in the country. Today, this is the only one still standing.
Contents
A Look Back at the Theater's History
Early Days of Entertainment
When the theater first opened, it was a busy place. People came to see many different shows. There were plays and theater performances. Big balls and other events also took place here.
Movies Arrive and Change
Around 1915, silent movies started to be shown. Then, in 1929, "talkies" arrived. These were movies with sound! Movies continued to be a big part of the theater's life. They were shown until the 1980s.
Saving a Historic Building
After many years, the opera house changed owners several times. In the early 1980s, it was given to the Arizona Community Foundation. This group wanted to bring the theater back to its original beauty. The City of Prescott bought the opera house in 2001. The Foundation and the City worked together. They started to restore parts of the building. This included the lobby and dressing rooms. The full restoration was finished in 2010.
Modern Updates and New Life
Big Renovations for the Theater
In 2010, the theater part of the building got a big update. This renovation cost a lot of money. It helped make the theater modern and ready for new shows.
New Owners and More Plans
In 2012, the City sold the buildings. A non-profit group bought them. This group is called The Elks Theater and Performing Arts Center (ETPAC). After the theater was restored, ETPAC made plans. They wanted to fix up the three-story Elks Lodge #330 building next door.
Amazing New Studios and Spaces
The new restoration project continued for several years. All the construction was completed in December 2016. Two amazing dance studios were added to the lodge. One studio has a special wooden dance floor. The other has a "sprung Marley" surface. Both studios have their own lighting and sound systems. They also have heating and air conditioning. On the second floor, there are also five special booths. These are for practicing music and singing. There are also plans to add a digital recording board.
Banquet Halls and a Chef's Kitchen
The third floor of the ETPAC has two separate banquet halls. These halls can hold up to 200 people. The entire floor has a sound system. A brand new kitchen was also put in on the third floor. It has warming ovens, grills, and more. This kitchen is perfect for big events.
Discovering Hidden Treasures
During the renovation, workers tried to save as much of the original building as possible. You can still see the original barrel ceilings. They have special tin stamps. A hidden staircase was also found. It was saved and restored. The original stained glass "clock" was also found. The Brotherhood of Elks had placed it there. It points to 11 o'clock. This is when Elks members make a special toast. "Bill," the original copper Elk statue, still sits on the roof.
The Elks Theater's Mission
The ETPAC is a charitable organization. This means it is a group that helps the community. They set up a special fund. This fund helps pay for the theater's ongoing operation and care. The main goal of the ETPAC is to help the Prescott community. They provide a place for people to practice and train in the performing arts.
Building Details
The Elks Theater and Performing Arts Center is on East Gurley Street. It is a three-story building. It was built around 1905. The building is about 95 feet wide. It is also about 125 feet deep. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
