Missouri Western State University - Griffon Yearbook (St Joseph, MO)

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Photos by Bryan Dancer Workmen put finishing touches lleftj on a concrete form at the Civic Are- na construction site. This sphinx-like relief is lfar lefti one of the many ornate aspects of the Missouri Theatre. The facade of the Missouri Theatre ftop leftj shows the intricate workmanship of the 53-year-old structure. The view of the stage itop centerj from the balcony was not always the best, but the cozy quiet was a spot where many a guy took his girl. The cold, winter weather slows construction the arena fabovej, but work was reported on schedule for an August 1980 opening. Theatre, Civic Arena!15

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Q 5 in ,.a,, NX ig I- Qxf . .. mxXX . me at . rw-3-tsia.e4ssgf.f-,Egvrf--ff .F 7 5 1 Q., 7 Yi? R' Ss. sift Theatre, arena to revitalize downtown The Missouri Theatre is a familiar landmark in downtown St. joseph. lt has been the only concert and fine arts facility in the St. joseph area, limiting the size and caliber of the entertain- ment that comes here. The Missouri Theatre, operated by Town Hall Centre, is a member of the newly formed Allied Arts Council, which includes other groups such as the Pony Expressmen, the Sweet S 147Theatre, Civic Arena Adelines, and Missouri Western's Cul- tural Events Committee. All of these groups are partially funded through the Missouri Arts Council. Young people in St. loseph are aware of the Missouri Theatre and try to keep abreast of the activities related to their age group. Most students are aware of activities held in the theatre because the College Center Board sponsors many of them there. These have included The Tom johnson Band, Shooting'Star, Blackfoot and William Windom as Ernie Pyle. The theatre was finished in lune, 1927 and cost a whopping one million dollars to construct. The finished struc- ture resembled a Turkish Mosque with its red-and-blue tile and three-bay fa- cade towering above the 7th block of Edmond. The first show to play the newly opened theatre, starring Clara Bowe, was entitled Rough House Rosie. The Wurlitzer that was christened with the new theatre was the most modern organ of its time. It had 11 ranks of pipes, tubharps, chimes, Glockenspiel, zylophone, piano, bird and boatwhistles. The organ was sold in 1956. Before 1978's bond issue to restore it, the structure changed owners, man- agers and attempted to open as a movie theatre. The theatre, with its renovation and beautification finished, accomodates meetings, banquets and, of course, entertainment. But, because of its size it has its limits. During the spring of 1979, ground was broken for a new structure, the St. joseph Civic Arena. The new facility will be a multi-purpose building with 112,000 square feet of space for just about anything imaginable. The build- ing itself is constructed of concrete, steel, and brick, will be fully air condi- tioned and will house meeting rooms, offices, dressing rooms and an audito- rium which is capable of holding 5000 people. The new facility lies between Felix and Francis Streets and Fourth and Fifth. The Civic Arena will accomodate a wider variety of civic activities and help rejuvenate the downtown area.

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NURTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY FUUNDED IN 8905 16!MWSC vs. NWMSU C