National Register Listing

Majestic Theatre

230 E. Houston St., San Antonio, TX

The Majestic Theatre was a movie theater in San Antonio, Texas. It was built in 1929 and closed in 1974. It was designed by John Eberson, who also designed the San Antonio River Walk.

The Majestic  theatre is the most magnificent  show palace in Texas, and one of the most  luxurious in the United  States.  The construction of the Majestic  theatre during  1927-1929  climaxed  the long  interrelated  theatre  building  careers of architect John Eberson and promoter  Karl  Hoblitzelle.  Hoblitzelle  moved to Texas in 1905 and began to develop the Interstate  circuit  of  theatres.  John Eberson soon became the principal  architect for the design and  construction for the chain of theatres in the Interstate  circuit. The Majestic  theatre opened on April  11, 1929, for the premiere of the picture "All     Quiet on the Western Front".   Although  Hoblitzelle and Eberson were to have  long  continued  careers, the later  designs of Eberson and buildings of Hoblitzelle were to be of the suburban,  plastic  style  dictated by the talkies, the  depression  and changing  entertainment  tastes.  

The Majestic  theatre opened too late for the typical  organ-silent  film of the  twenties.  However, for several  years  traveling  vaudeville acts were pop-ular at the theatre.  Ted Lewis, Ed Wynn and other  stars soon were  replaced  by the celebrities of the Big Band Era.  The last  days of regular  stage  performances were its brightest as patriotism led the most glamorous stars to  perform in San Antonio  which had five  major military  installations  operating at full  strength during World War  II.   With the end of the war, Kay Keyser, Phil  Harris, and other  stars gave  their  final  performance at the Majestic, and the callboards were  stored  permanently in the vacant dressing  rooms.  

Beginning in the summer of 1974, the films  showed at the Majestic  were  restricted to black  action movies.  During  the last  few weeks the theatre remained open, the films  shown were  limited to Spanish  language movies. During  the last  days of December, 1974, the magnificent  Majestic  Theatre  was  closed,  and its future remains uncertain.   The office  spaces in the building  continue to be occupied.
Bibliography
"Greater Majestic in San Antonio is Newest Addition to Interstate Circuit", Motion Picture News, December 7, 1929, p. 863-866.

"Majestic Theatre's Birthday", San Antonio Express-News, June 14, 1939, Theatre Section.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Communications; Performing Arts; Art; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

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.

commerce communications performing arts art architecture
The state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
Texas random facts
Bexar County, Texas, holds a significant place in the history of the Lone Star State. Native American tribes thrived in the region for centuries before the arrival of European explorers. In 1718, the Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known as the Alamo, which became a symbol of Texas' fight for independence. The area came under Mexican control after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

During the Texas Revolution in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo took place, where a small group of Texan defenders valiantly fought against Mexican forces. Although the defenders ultimately lost, their bravery and sacrifice galvanized the Texan cause. Soon after, the Republic of Texas was established, and Bexar County was officially created in 1837, named after San Antonio de Béxar.

Bexar County played a vital role in the westward expansion of the United States. It became part of the United States when Texas joined as the 28th state in 1845. The county saw significant growth with the construction of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the influx of European immigrants. In 1968, HemisFair '68 brought international attention to the county, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and attracting visitors from around the world. Today, Bexar County is known for its vibrant tourism industry, robust military presence, renowned healthcare institutions, and prestigious educational establishments.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Bexar County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The region that would become Bexar County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecan and Lipan Apache.

  • 1718: The Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known today as the Alamo, in what is now downtown San Antonio. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonization in the area.

  • 1821: Mexico gained independence from Spain, and the region came under Mexican control.

  • 1836: The Battle of the Alamo took place during the Texas Revolution, where a small group of Texan defenders fought against Mexican forces. Though the defenders were ultimately defeated, their resistance became a symbol of Texas independence.

  • 1837: The Republic of Texas officially established Bexar County, naming it after San Antonio de Béxar, the former Spanish name for the area.

  • 1845: Texas joined the United States as the 28th state.

  • 1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Bexar County remained part of the Confederacy.

  • Late 19th-early 20th century: The county saw growth and development with the expansion of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the arrival of European immigrants.

  • 1968: HemisFair '68, a world's fair, was held in San Antonio, bringing national and international attention to the city and the county.