National Register Listing

Jefferson Theater

345 Fannin St., Beaumont, TX

<p>The construction of the Jefferson Theatre in 1927 illustrates the pattern of cultural enlightenment and civic improvement that dominated Beaumont in the first third of the twentieth century as a result of the historic oil discoveries in the nearby petroleum fields. It is a very good representation of the multi-use entertainment facility constructed in this era and its slightly altered condition makes it an excellent candidate for restoration as a performing arts facility amidst the renewed downtown civic center complex.</p><p>The discovery of oil at the Spindletop oil field in 1901 ushered in the "petroleum age" for the United States. Its economic impact was felt not only in Beaumont but the entire country as well. The discovery of deep oil at Spindletop in 1925 precipitated another major boom for the southeast Texas community and the renewed prosperity resulted in the construction of many fine civic, cultural, and educational buildings in Beaumont. One of these buildings was the Jefferson Theatre completed in November of 1927 as a movie theatre and facility for live performances.</p><p>The cost of building the theatre, which was under construction for more than 10 months, was approximately $1,000,000. The architect who designed it, Enile Weil, Inc., of New Orleans, was an internationally known theatre designer. The area showplace was built by the Jefferson Amusement Company, which operated it until it was purchased by Gulf States Theatres, Inc., on July 11, 1968. The Gulf States operated the theatre until it closed on October 17, 1972. In 1974 the Jefferson was sold to Fulka Interests of Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Fulka then donated the theatre to the LBJ Foundation of Austin. The Junior League of Beaumont and the Beaumont Junior Forum have organized the Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society, which received the property from the LBJ Foundation in 1976, in the hope of renovating it as a theatre for the performing arts for the three-country Southeast Texas region.</p><p>When constructed, the Jefferson Theatre had the most sophisticated technical equipment available for special effects and lighting, with the star attraction being the Robert Morton Company "wonder organ" designed especially for the particular acoustical conditions of the Jefferson. This amazing instrument is capable of mimicking almost any sound, including all sorts of animal sounds, auto sirens and horns, cathedral chimes, and many musical instruments. The Organ, which has 778 pipes as well as percussion Instruments connected to it, sits on a disappearing platform. It is still maintained in excellent condition.</p>

Bibliography
SPARE Beaumont, Beaumont Heritage Society, January, 1977.

Beaumont Journal, November 12, 1927. Tyrrell Public Library.
Local significance of the building:
Entertainment/recreation; Performing Arts

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.