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

The Yucca Theatre

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015

1. The Yucca Theatre Marker

Inscription. Attracted by Midland's growing economy and the rapid development of the area's petroleum industry, T.S. Hogan announced plans for the construction of this facility in 1927. An oilman and former Montana senator, Hogan saw the need for a multi-purpose regional theatre to serve the growing population of the Permian Basin. He commissioned noted Fort Worth architect Wyatt C. Hedrick to design the structure. The result was an elaborate facade with intricate Gothic revival detailing. The interior was designed by H. B. Layman of New York and features characteristics of the Egyptian revival style.

The Yucca Theatre opened on December 5, 1929, after two years of construction. The premier included a screening of the Hollywood musical "Rio Rita" and a musical comedy revue by the jubilee players of New York City.

The versatility of the building's design made the Yucca Theatre suitable for a variety of activities. Despite the 1930s economic depression, it remained a popular place for traveling vaudeville shows, operas, recitals, and high school graduation ceremonies. Today it serves as a reminder of Midland's early growth as a center of the petroleum industry. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1981

Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker

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Number 5935.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1902.

Location. 31° 59.941′ N, 102° 4.605′ W. Marker is in Midland, Texas, in Midland County. It is on North Colorado Street north of West Texas Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 North Colorado Street, Midland TX 79701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

It is also in the American Southwest.

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 Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of “The Staked Plains” (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Former Site of Midland National Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Midland County's First Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); Midland National Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Valentine Pliska (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brown-Dorsey House (approx. ¼ mile away); Midland's First House (approx. 0.6 miles away); W. F. Scarborough Home, 1908 (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Midland.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015

2. The Yucca Theatre Marker

The Yucca Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015

3. The Yucca Theatre

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 849 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.