Simon Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Simon Theatre
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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View of the upper story of the Simon Theatre in 2010
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 Simon Theatre
Location in Texas
Simon Theatre
Location in the United States
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| Location | 109 W. Main St., Brenham, Texas |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1925 |
| Built by | R.P. Ball |
| Architect | Alfred Finn |
| Part of | Brenham Downtown Historic District (ID04000154) |
| Designated CP | March 10, 2004 |
The Simon Theatre is a historic building in Brenham, Texas. It was built in 1925 by James Simon. A famous Houston architect named Alfred C. Finn designed it. For many years, the Simon Theatre was a busy place. People came to watch plays, vaudeville shows (which were like variety shows with different acts), and movies. It also hosted ballroom dances and special events for the community.
A Special Place in History
The Simon Theatre is very important. The League of Historic American Theatres recognizes it as a Texas Historic Theatre. This means it's a special old theater in Texas. The Architecture Division of the Texas Historical Commission also listed it as an Endangered Historic Property. This means they wanted to make sure it was saved and protected.
The Brenham Main Street Historical Preservation group is working to create a visitor center inside the building. This center will help people learn about the history of downtown Brenham. The Simon Theatre is also part of the Brenham Downtown Historic District. This whole area is a special landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Being on this list means it's a nationally important historic site.
The Simon Center Project
The Simon Theatre underwent big renovations. It is now known as the Simon Center. An organization called "Save our Simon" worked hard to protect and restore the theater. On September 28, 2007, this group raised $1.2 million to help with the renovations.
On February 22, 2007, John Nau, who was the chairman of the Texas Historical Commission, said that the Simon Center would be a great investment for Brenham. He believed it would help the community's economy. The renovations included updating the old theater and ballroom. It is now used as a convention center and visitors center. By the end of 2008, the "Save Our Simon" group had raised $2 million, and they eventually collected $2.3 million for the project.
ArchiTexas, an architecture company from Dallas, oversaw the design of the renovated theater. This company has experience restoring old courthouses and other historic theaters in Texas. Donna Cummins, an administrator for "Save Our Simon," shared this information.
See also
