MIDDLE SCHOOL'S HISTORICAL SURVEY
By RACHEL WRIGHT AND GRACE WHITFIELD

The outside of the Crim Theater as it appears today. The Crim is fully lite after dusk with full neon which is maintained by the Kilgore Historical Preservation Foundation. (bottom) These are some of the original glass tiles which are still in the old ticket booth.

This enormous building is one of Kilgore's greatest reassures. Built in 1931, this 76 year old theater is very unusual.

Since most people aren't allowed inside it, we have some facts you might not know. Unlike most signs, the Crim Theater's is made of porcelain. Even though the floors and a lot of other original things have been gutted, some color is still there. Like the (removed) carpet, that was mauve pink and green, the ceiling was green too.

The outside has been repainted the same colors as the original was. At night, you can see the original neon lighting. If you walked into the lobby in the 30's, you would see tons of tiny mirrors. Most of the mirrors are gone, but there are still some left in the ticket booth. The original ticket booth was where you now see the circle with an oil derrick in it.

For safety reasons, (Bonnie & Clyde etc.) it was moved. From the lobby, you enter an entryway that either takes you up one of two staircases to the balcony, or up to the mezzanine. The massive screen was bigger than most are today. While watching the movie, similar to today, you could go to the snack bar. Above the snack bar is a unique architectural design. Similar to the arched ceiling in the lobby, the dropped ceiling above the old removed snack bar has a scalloped edge.

Speaking of ceilings, you wouldn't believe the height of the ceiling in the theater! Because it has three stories, the ceiling must be high. But this is huge! Even though it isn't close to being finished, and would cost several million dollars to repair all the damages, they hope that someday the Crim Theater will reopen.

Texas history students of Dana Sneed, Maude Laird Middle School, researched the oldest of Kilgore's downtown buildings. Some of their reports will be published in coming weeks.

RACHEL WRIGHT AND GRACE WHITFIELD