Page 27 - July 2018 inLeague with Conference Program

amazement of the citizens of Lockhart when they first entered this fantasy world.

Col. Baker died on September 12, 1936 in Lockhart. The Baker Show Company, Inc. owned the theater until
1959, but little is known of this period. The second of the Baker’s major renovations was performed during this
time, probably in the early 1950s. Unfortunately, nearly all the rich decorations of the 1933 remodeling were
removed and the theater was given the “modern” appearance it exhibits today. One area that received an
especially severe treatment was the ground floor main facade. The pinkish-tan ceramic tile, angled front wall,
and enlarged marquee date from this period.

In 1959 the Baker was purchased by August Valentine. August, his wife, Anne, and daughters Augusta, Valerie,
Alice and Virginia had previously operated a drive-in theater in Georgetown for several years. The Valentine
family ran the Baker until 1984. The suspended acoustical ceiling and gas air conditioning were installed during
their ownership of the theater. “Christine,” the last film, was shown on March 1, 1984.

The theater remained closed until its purchase by
the Lockhart Community Theater in 1997. It was
then remodeled to accommodate live theatrical
productions. The theater reopened in October, 1998
with “Steel Magnolias.”

Majestic Theatre
San Antonio, TX
Excerpted from the Majestic and Empire Theatres
website...

Located in the heart of downtown San Antonio,
Texas, the Majestic Theatre was built in 1929 and was
designed in a Spanish Mediterranean style by John
Eberson for Karl Hoblitzelle’s Interstate Theatres.

The Majestic Theatre is an example of Ambassador Photo by John Dyer
Theatre Group’s ability to work within public, private Courtesy of San Antonio CVB
partnerships — in this case the City of San Antonio as
owner of the theatre, and Las Casas Foundation, a local non-profit organization, in a successful effort to turn
the historic movie theatre into a landmark, modern performing arts facility. During the 1980s and 90s, $9 million
renovation and stage expansion costs were raised by Las Casas Foundation, with substantial investments from
the City of San Antonio, ACE and local philanthropies.
The 2,264 seat Majestic Theatre is a National Historic Landmark, and is currently home to the Broadway in San
Antonio series, along with a wide variety of concerts and performing arts attractions. The Majestic Theatre is
currently operating under Ambassador Theatre Group’s management on a self-sustaining basis.

Charline McCombs Empire Theatre
Photo courtesy of San Antonio CVB
San Antonio, TX

Excerpted from the Majestic and Empire Theatres
website...

The Charline McCombs Empire Theatre was built
in 1913 on the site of the former Rische’s Opera
House in downtown San Antonio, Texas. Designed
in the style of a European palazzo by architects
Mauran, Russell & Crow of St. Louis, the Empire
operated as a vaudeville house and then a
motion picture theatre.

The Empire’s grandeur was prematurely
Photo courtesy of San Antonio CVB concealed by inappropriate repairs to extensive
42nd National Conference & Theatre Tour July 2018 INLEAGUE | PAGE 25