In the summer of 1928, a much-anticipated movie theater was under construction at 215 Grand Avenue in the quaint mountain town of Paonia, Colorado. Final touches were added in early fall, and it was completed in time for the October 5th grand opening. It filled a need, as it replaced the nearby Gayety Theater, which was constructed of wood and destroyed by a fire. The new 102’ x 29’ structure was masonry, with a rough stucco finish.
Today, the theater still stands and occupies the original 125” X 29’ lot. It shares common walls with buildings on each side. According to early photos, it looked much like it does today, with the exception of the three-sided marquee that has been replaced several times over the years. Its current configuration is a single-sided marquee, above a porch-style awning, that was added in the 1970s. Like when it was built, the lobby area consists of restrooms, a concession counter/ticket booth, and an entrance hallway leading to the auditorium. Beyond the hallway is a stage, balcony, and the seating area that once held 385 wooden chairs that could be moved to make room for dancing. As was typical of most movie theaters, a projection room is located behind and just above the balcony.