Cactus Theater - Lubbock, T
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 33° 34.704 W 101° 50.670
14S E 235983 N 3719037
The Cactus Theater is a Depression-era motion picture establishment in a low-rise urban setting just southeast of Lubbock's downtown business district.
Waymark Code: WM119EH
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 09/11/2019
Views: 0
NRHP Registration Form"Facing east on Buddy Holly Avenue (formerly Avenue H), the Cactus retains its dominant brick facade, exhibiting modest Art Deco motifs, rising more than two stories from the narrow sidewalk. Its theatrical marquee, neon lighting accents, sidewalk ticket office, double entry doors, ceramic tile wainscot and other entry details recently have been uncovered or reconstructed. The interior has been reopened as an auditorium, with reconstructed projector booth and stage details, adapted to new code requirements, mechanical systems, visitor safety and access, and modern stage production needs.
On the Avenue H facade, bands of glazed green tiles rise about three feet from the sidewalk and wrap into the inset entries, and around the ticket booth to a height of four feet. The balance of the facade is symmetrically arranged: slightly projecting side bays with centered vertical windows at the ground level and corbelled banding near the cornice; central vertical projection (or pilaster) of corbelled bricks, emphasized at night with neon tubing and flanked by two vertical projector-booth windows at the second level; and a cornice of shallow step-downs across the five facade bays, each with a rolled termius of corbelled bricks. The replacement V-plan marquee covers the ticket booth area i the center three bays, carrying the theaters name spedded out in individual green letters outlined in neon tubing, and accommodating interchangeable lettering to advertise current shows. Temporary banners and show boards enhance the ticket booth area, following typical practice from the theater's early years.
As finished in 1938 the Cactus included more than 100 feet of neon lighting on its marquee and facade. Most of this neon tubing has been reconstructed. By emphasizing the central vertical pilaster lined with neon tubes rising above the marquee and ticket booth, the theater presents a stunning night-time presence with its accented vertical lines and back-lit marquee."