A historic theater in downtown Fort Worth recently dimmed its lights and closed its doors for good
FORT WORTH, Texas — The iconic theater in the heart of Fort Worth has recently turned off its lights and permanently shut its doors.
Located on Main Street, close to the Fort Worth Stockyards, Downtown Cowtown at the Isis broadcasted its final words to its followers on Facebook.
“It is with the deepest sadness that we announce, effective immediately, we personally will no longer be operating the theatre,“ the post read. “Although this chapter is coming to an end, the memories and stories we all have created here will last a lifetime. It has been honor to serve and entertain the historic Fort Worth area for the past two years and we are all so incredibly grateful.”
The theater’s management and representatives chose not to elaborate on the reasons behind the closure, citing legal matters as the cause.
The Facebook announcement elicited close to 200 comments.
“I am very sad to hear this. We love the theater and all it has brought to the Stockyards. I hope it continues to be a bright spot on the Northside,” a comment read.
“Breaks my heart. We always enjoyed our times there,” another read.
First opened as a 400-seat venue in 1914, the theater was initially designed by architect Louis B. Weinman, as per the theater’s website. A projection booth fire in 1935 led to its destruction, but it was later reconstructed and expanded in 1936 following the designs of architect W. Scott Dunne, as stated on the website.
The theater underwent repairs in 1942 due to damage from Marine Creek flooding the Stockyards. It ceased operations in 1988 after almost five decades.
Dr. Jeffrey Smith and Debbie Garrett-Smith, the owners, commenced renovations in 2017, leading to the theater’s reopening in 2021, as mentioned on the website.
