West in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Best Theatre Building

Photographed by James Hulse, March 5, 2023

1. Best Theatre Building Marker

Inscription. Constructed by town founder Thomas M. West and local contractor J.E. Bridges about 1890, this building housed two saloons until prohibition in 1919 prompted its conversion into a grocery store and bakery. Jim Tobola modified the building in 1923 to house the Best Theatre, which offered Vaudeville, local entertainment and movies before closing in 1976. The building's whimsical architecture includes metal semicircular awnings and cast concrete globe-like finials. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1994

Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 386.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 31° 48.19′ N, 97° 5.51′ W. Marker is in West, Texas, in McLennan County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and West Columbus Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. The marker is located on the right side of the entrance to the theater. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 North Main Street, West TX 76691, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Groppe Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Crash at Crush

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(about 400 feet away); West (about 600 feet away); First Presbyterian Church of West (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of West (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Mary's School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Church of the Assumption (approx. 0.4 miles away); West Brethren Church (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West.

The entrance to the Best Theatre Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 5, 2023

2. The entrance to the Best Theatre Building and Marker

The view of the Best Theatre Building and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 5, 2023

3. The view of the Best Theatre Building and Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 537 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 7, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.