Some history behind Velasco Theater in Freeport, Texas explained and explored.

This news article will explain some history behind the historic theater venue called Velasco Theater in Freeport, Texas. Only so much is known about Velasco Theater. Velasco Theater was one of the few movie theaters which operated in Freeport, Texas during the 20th century.


An 85-room hotel occupied the block where Velasco Theater once stood. Velasco Chapter No. 220, Order of Eastern Star used this hotel for meeting. Meetings were held in what used to be the laundry building of the largest hotel plant Velasco ever had. (Ref: Freeport Facts, Page 15, Thursday, September 27, 1951)

Charles Skinner was a chef at the beautiful 85-room hotel that stood on the grounds where Bob's Filling Station and the Velasco theater was located. E. D. Dorchester used the top part of this hotel land look out toward the Gulf of Mexico to see if expected boats were coming in. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/10639203/)

“Charles Skinner was a chef in the beautiful 85-room hotel that stood over the grounds where Bob's filling station and the Velasco theater is now. E. D. Dorchester used the top part of this hotel land look out toward the Gulf to see if expected boats were coming in.”

This 85-room hotel was torn down in 1922 when the new Masonic hall was completed in Freeport. No traces of the hotel could be excavated or remained in 1923. (Ref: Freeport Facts, Page 15, Thursday, September 27, 1951)

FOUNDING OF VELASCO CHAPTER TO BE OBSERVED

The founding of Velasco Chapter No. 220, Order of Eastern Star, will be observed October 8, with John S. Caldwell as one of the speakers. In October 1904, the chapter was organized, and meetings were held in what used to be the laundry building of the largest hotel plant Velasco ever had. The 85-room hotel occupied a large part of the block where now is the Velasco Theater. Then, in 1922, when the new Masonic hall was completed in Freeport, meetings of the organization were changed to that place at E. Park Avenue and Broad Street B. M. Fisher.


A movie theater called Velasco Theater would be built over what was once the hotel site in 1943. Velasco Theater opened at the very end of 1944. Mr. Antene had made 21 appearances that season with his band as they opened up for symphonies including the opening of the new Velasco Theater. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/12581269/)

Mr. George Brock, was the owner and manager of Velasco Theater for many years up to its closure. He managed the theatre throughout the 40s. He and his wife lived apartment at the rear of the building. He also played the piano and rendered a variety of selections of music. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/12594903/)

“GEORGE BROCK, manager of the Velasco theater, is proud of a place the new theater fills in picture show entertainment for Velasco amid nearby vicinities. It has happened, he said, that receipts at the theater more than once have been more than the combined receipts at the theaters in Freeport for the same day. George can furnish some real entertainment himself when he sits down at a piano and renders a variety of selections. He and Mrs. Brock live in an apartment at the rear of the building.”


Velasco Theater was known for serving oily, extra-salty theater popcorn and Hershey bars with almonds to their customers. Velasco Theater had The theater seated a capacity of 765 people. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/14298873/)

Velasco Theater would reopen on Friday, April 4, 1958, after the building undergone remodeling. The lobby had been redecorated in addition to the new parking facilities. Velasco Theater was remodeled with outstanding attractions. Ivan Yowl, formerly manager of the Showboat Theater, would become the new manager of the Velasco Theater. The policy of this theater was to bring foremost major attractions worthy of a week's engagement to the theater. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/6124493/)

Etheldred Jordan and George Roberts, board of deacons for First United Missionary Baptist Church, helped integrate the old Velasco Theater when they moved from the balcony known as the "Crow's Nest," where black patrons had been told to sit, to the theater's lower section in the 1960s. Both of them had refused ushers' requests that they move. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/13736080/)

[And in the 1960s, Roberts said he and Jordan helped integrate the old Velasco Theater when they moved from the balcony — known as the "Crow's Nest," where black patrons had been told to sit — to the theater's lower section and then refused ushers' requests that they move. "Jordan admitted later on that he was very nervous and frightened.]

Velasco Theater closed around 1971 when the commercial shift from Freeport to Lake Jackson changed. The commercial shift from Freeport to Lake Jackson is what led to the decline of Velasco Theater which is why Velasco Theater closed. People living in the Brazosport area went to movie theaters in Lake Jackson as that city had more amenities than Freeport.