Ground broke for the Fox Theater on August 2, 1929. Initially it was to be called The Tower Theater, name chosen by the Diamos Brothers who owned a series Lyric Amusement Chain Theaters throughout the Southwest. The named changed to the Fox Theater in late September of 1929 when the Lyric chain joined forces with the Fox West Coast Theater chain.
The Lyric Amusement Company was a family owned business run by James N. Xalis and his nephews: Nick, Frank Diamos, David, and George K. Diamos. They were immigrants from Greece who had resided in California making their money by running several successful coffee shops.
Xalis was smitten with the movies and the new nickelodeons that were cropping up through the United States and the family business quickly turned to buying and building theaters. They bought their first theater in Tucson and eventually owned a series of large theaters in the Southwest including the Grand Theater in Douglas, Arizona.
Originally the theater was budgeted to be built for $200,000 but with furnishings the final cost was closer to $300,000. It was designed for both vaudeville performances and movies with a stage, a fly loft and full dressing rooms beneath the state. However, because of the Depression performances were limited and the dressing rooms were never fully completed.
There are many ghost stories attached to the Fox Theater. A projectionist saw a ball of tape moving on its own accord on a table. Figuring it was a paranormal activity he invited the ghost to interact with the ball in a more extreme fashion. Upon his request, the ball rolled back and forth across the table.
Also, in the projection room the equipment seems to be taken apart. Lenses tend to be unscrewed from the projection machine, a piece that can only be manipulated with a special tool.
Outside of the Fox Theater a man dressed in Depression-era clothing is seen panhandling for money to feed his family.
To contact Heather: heather@heatherwoodward.net
Website: www.heatherwoodward.net
Comments
Cool stuff! I really wanna spend the night there sometime. =D
who did you steal this story from Heather? Everyone knows you rip off every one out there. You are a loser.
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