Yucca Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Yucca Theatre
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 Location in Montana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 520 Division St., Hysham, Montana |
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| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | David Manning, James Manning |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001447 |
| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1994 |
The Yucca Theatre in Hysham, Montana, is a cool old movie theater. It was built way back in 1931 by a man named David Manning. When it first opened, it had a stage for live shows, but that was taken out in 1936.
The theater closed its doors in 1957 and became part of the house next door, which belonged to the Manning family. Luckily, the theater has been fixed up! Now, it's used again as a place for the community to watch movies and plays. It's special because of its unique look and because of David Manning, who was an important politician in Montana.
What does the Yucca Theatre look like?
The Yucca Theatre is a two-story building built in the Mission style. This style often looks like old Spanish missions. The building is made of brick covered with stucco, which is a type of plaster.
The front of the theater faces south. It has two strong towers on each corner, with the main entrance in between them. There's a small, round ticket booth right at the entrance. Above the entrance, there's a balcony with a railing.
You might notice wooden beams sticking out from the front and sides of the building. These are called vigas. The towers have four sections each and are topped with a rounded dome.
Inside, the theater used to be just one big room for the audience. But in 1936–37, the stage area was changed into living space for the owner's family. Later, in the 1950s and 1970s, more rooms were added to the living area. The main part of the theater has a small balcony where the movie projector used to be.
Who built the Yucca Theatre?
The theater was built by David M. Manning in 1931. This was a time when Hysham was growing and doing well. David Manning was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in 1897. His family moved to Hysham in 1910.
David Manning was a builder, but he was also a very important person in Montana politics. He served in the state government until 1985. He held many top jobs in both the Montana House of Representatives and the Senate. This means he helped make laws for the state for a long time!
The Manning family ran the Yucca Theatre as a movie cinema until the 1960s. In 1992, the building became part of the Treasure County Museum. The main museum building is right across the street. Today, the theater is still used for community movie nights and plays.
Why is the Yucca Theatre important?
The Yucca Theatre is considered a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 7, 1994. This means it's recognized as a special building that's important to the history of the United States.
