04/07/2026
On this date, 96 years ago the Northrup Theatre opened its doors showing the movie "Footlights and Fools". Admission was .35 for adults and .10 for children.
Cannot imagine the excitement that day for Syracuse!! Originally there was seating for 800!!! The theater was the place where people came to see the news, which was on a reel prior to the movie.
Built during the depression it cost $60,000, and was the first talking movie theater between Garden City Kansas and La Junta Colorado.
It has been open since other than six years when it was a challenge keeping it operating due to availability of movies.
In 1948, some major renovations occurred which included a modification to the ticket office, creating a smooth concave curvature of 8" X 8" glass block. The 20-degree angle was constructed to give the effect of pulling traffic into the box office, also four French entry doors were installed.
The seating area decor was also done in 1948 by a professional theater painter named Joe Var Hies. It was a product of the Art Deco era. The bold patterned structure creats jolting energetic rhythm, breaking the surface of the building. the stepped pyramid design provides an effect to make the building look larger.
The lobby was later done by Murail Ellis, daughter of Frank and Maybelle Northrup, the owners at the time.
Another additive of the '48 renovation was the widening of the stage and screen area in addition to the fire exit doors. The north wall was winged out from the original wall form to provide adequate space, adhering to fire code regulations.
Every other row of seats was removed, to provide more aisle space and it was not necessary to continue the broad number of seats due to decreasing number of movie going participants.
In December 1990 the Chamber of Commerce leased it for six months (finishing out a lease by an individual from Scott City) and is was so successful, the Chamber extended their lease, purchasing the building in 1991, made possible through a low interest loan shared by both of the local banks.
New seats were installed in 2000, providing seating for 276 patrons., thanks to city and county funds.
The ceiling was repainted by Kris (Jost) Jantz and several volunteers in 2001-2002 after a new roof was installed.
The new screen, measuring 39' X 17' and matting were installed April 27, 2005, thanks to a donation made by Frontier and Hermana Dairies.
The digital projection system was installed in 2011, a total cost of $96,000. While the Chamber had saved about $12,000 in anticipation of the needed upgrade, the community and several surrounding communities made the balance due in little over six weeks.
The success we feel was in part due to joining forces with Brad Bills Inc, from eastern Kansas who books the movies for us.
But without the generosity of our community and surrounding communities, and so many volunteers, it would not be open today, especially since COVID.
Black and white picture was taken in 1929 prior to its completion.
We cannot say thank you enough to everyone, all the volunteers, donations, no matter how small or large the donation, in keeping The Historic Northrup Theater operating.
