(L to R) Henderson Drug, Colonial Theater, and Bensons, in 1915The history of the Granada building began in 1910 when William E. White opened the Colonial Theater on the site between Henderson's Drug Store and Benson's Department Store.

On December 1, 1927 the Colonial was acquired by National Theater Enterprises, Inc, and was renamed the New Colonial on April 9, 1928.  

In May 1930 National Theater Enterprises closed the New Colonial, demolished the building from the basement level up, then began construction on a new Spanish-style movie palace.  Work progressed at a very rapid pace and most of the contractors were hired locally.

Designed by Michael D. DeAngelis (who also designed the Oriental Theater in Rochester, Pa),  the new building was 60 feet wide, 145 feet deep and 54 feet high, with a facade of terra cotta.  The first floor seated approximately 1,000 and the balcony accommodated about 600 more. The brightly-colored atmospheric auditorium resembled a Spanish garden, complete with seasonal foilage, moving clouds and twinkling stars.  On the mezzanine level there was a grand civic room, with card tables and a fireplace, which could be rented out for meetings and social events.  The basement contained a lounge and the building's large heating and air conditioning system.  Granada Theater Proscenium (Above the Stage)

The Granada Theater opened to the public on December 23, 1930. The name "Granada Theater" was chosen by a local person, who won $100 by submitting the name in a contest to name the new moviehouse. The highlight of opening night was an appearance by legendary Notre Dame head football coach Knute Rockne, who explained some of the plays that took his team to victory year after year. Tragically, a few months later on March 31, 1931, Rockne died when his plane en route from Kansas City to Los Angeles crashed shortly after takeoff.


Granada Theater Balcony FoyerView From the Stage1942 Newspaper Ad

The Granada Theater operated for nearly 30 years, showing top shelf movies of the day. But alas on November 30, 1960 the Granada Theater closed for good. The building remained empty until the early 1970s, when it was converted into a "mini-mall" shopping center. The auditorium was leveled with concrete and divided into tiny shops and offices.  Above the suspended ceiling, the auditorium was left largely intact.
In 1987 The Best Cellar, now Krooner's, opened in the Basement.  
This building has stood the test of time and someday may be restored to a time when it was the highlight of everyone's weekend.   Come down and feel the ghosts of Monroe, Gable and Harlow, at Krooner's Lounge!     


                      
JC Penny, Granada Theater, Bensons ca 1933



Interior photos courtesy of R.C. Wolfe of the Roxy Theater in
Northampton, PA
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