Monett in Barry County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Gillioz Theater

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

1. The Gillioz Theater Marker

Inscription. The Gillioz Theater was built in 1931 and was operated by Commonwealth Amusement by 1941. Johnson and Maack of St. Louis were the architects of the Gillioz. This theater was very popular amongst the local community. During the prom season the newly graduates of the high school would go to the theater as a traditional celebration. Contractor M.E. Gillioz, who lived in Monett and was one of the town's largest employers, erected the building and named it for himself. Mr. Gillioz was very popular in the community, especially the children as he would give them quarters at an annual Christmas party he hosted for kids in town at the theater. He was a well-known contractor for building bridges and roads. Classic films such as Mary Poppins were played in this theater for the community to enjoy. Many people from Monett can remember seeing a movie for the very first time in the Gillioz theater. Later, in 1987, the theater was demolished. Gillioz also built the Gillioz Theater in Springfield, Missouri in 1926, and it was restored in the early 2000s. It is still open and operating today.

Written by: Tristen Ostertag

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This sign was created by students under the direction of Monett High School Missouri Literature and Composition teacher Amy M. Sampson and was paid for via a grant she wrote and was awarded from Rural Schools Collaborative and their 2023 Celia B. Godsil Grants in Place Fellows Program.

Erected 2023 by Monett High School students.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, Monett High School class project series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.

Location. 36° 55.287′ N, 93° 55.274′ W. Marker is in Monett, Missouri, in Barry County. It is at the intersection of East Broadway and 6th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 522 E Broadway, Monett MO 65708, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Missouri and in the Branson and Table Rock Lake Area.

It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally,

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

2. The Gillioz Theater Marker

it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Monett Railroad YMCA (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Monett Floods (about 400 feet away); Where Did Monett Get its Name? (about 400 feet away); The Frisco Railroad (about 400 feet away); Monett Harvey House (about 600 feet away); Monett Lynching (about 600 feet away); Whistle Stops (about 600 feet away); Strawberry Capital of the World (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monett.

Also see . . .
1. Monett opens ‘Little Gillioz Theatre’ exhibit. The Monett Historical Society created a down-sized version of the theater, complete with a lighted marquee, replica seats and the theater's original swinging doors, in a room at the Monett History Museum. (Kaitlyn Schumacher, KSPR-TV, July 3, 2021) (Submitted on July 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Remembering the Gillioz.

The Gillioz Theater image. Click for full size.

Granola; uploaded to Cinema Treasures Aug. 31, 2015 (CC BY 3.0)

3. The Gillioz Theater

The 724-seat theater, designed in the Georgean Colonial style, opened on Nov. 26, 1931.

Memorabilia from the Gillioz Theatre and other business ventures of local entrepreneur M.E. Gillioz will be on display in the small replica theatre currently under construction on the top floor of the Monett Historical Museum in Monett. Connection Magazine, July 2020; via Issuu) (Submitted on July 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.