Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1923, Thomas G. Moses delivered and installed scenery at Masonic Hall in El Dorado, Arkansas. He arrived in town on November 7 and left a few days later. Of his short visit, Moses wrote, “A few days’ work – put all my scenery up and had it paid for, which was a surprise as I expected I would have to wait for some time.”
Moses then headed to Wichita, Kansas, stopping by El Reno, Oklahoma, on his way. Of his journey, he wrote, “Had to go across the country to El Reno on my way to Wichita. Arriving there I found the scenery all up and the ceremonial under way. I left for Wichita the next day, wired the Madam that I was passing through Chicago on my way back to Binghamton, as I wanted her to meet me at the depot, which she did.”
Moses’ mention of “ceremonial” made me wonder if it was a Masonic scenery collection, so I started looking for a Masonic Temple in El Reno. Yep, there was one and it’s currently for sale – $60,000. This is really a “fixer-upper” though, as the Mason’s left in the 1950s, and the space fell prey to a variety of retail stores, all of which left its mark.
What I did find interesting, however, was that when it was constructed in 1909, the Masonic Temple was located next to an opera house – the Derry Theatre. The Derry Theatre hosted many Masonic activities, as well as many other activities.
Moses’ stop in El Reno was likely for the Derry Theatre. The Derry was used by many groups in 1923, including the Masons, Baptist Church and American Legion. Masons used the space for certain ceremonials and events, the Baptist church held Easter Services, and guest lecturers even spoke about the evils of the Klan. About the time Moses arrived, the American Legion was preparing for an Armistice Day ceremony at the venue. On November 11, the American Legion and the Baptiste Church would meet at the Derry Theatre in a special patriotic program to “participate in exercise appropriate to the day” (El Reno Democrat, 7 Nov 1923, page 1). Part of the evening’s entertainment included special patriotic musical by Baptist church choir.
The Derry Theatre is quite interesting all on its own. It started as a response to the fire that destroyed the old El Reno Theatre (the local opera house). On Jan. 12, 1921, the “El Reno Democrat” reported, “The new Derry Theatre offers a marked contrast to those days when El Reno people climbed the rickety stairs in the old opera house to see Andrews and other noted players, and it marks a new era in the theatrical business in El Reno…Years ago there was such a demand for a theater building in keeping with the city, that public spirited citizens united in the building of the old Reno Theatre. It was destroyed by fire two years ago and since that time Al Derry has had in mind the building of a playhouse that would be a credit to any city in the state, and his dreams were realized last night when the Derry Theatre was thrown open to the public for the first time” (page 1).
By April 1923, the Derry Theatre was not in great shape and entered mortgage foreclosure proceedings. Public notices from April 2-14 of that year announced the impending sale of all theater’s contents. The first public notice stated, “Notice is hereby given that in pursuance of an order of sale issued of the district court of Canadian county, State of Oklahoma, on the 2nd of April 1923, in an action wherein Roy Wolcott, as Bank Commissioner of the State of Oklahoma was plaintiff and Al Derry, Grace Derry and Chas. L. Engle were defendants. Along with all of the following foods to sell was “all standing, movable and shifting scenery other than curtains hung on rolls and other scenery so attached as to permanently remain in same place in the building. By Nov. 15, 1923, the “El Reno American” announced the suit to prevent the removal of moving picture show fixtures from the Derry Theatre” (page 1).
But the Derry reopened on Dec. 19, 1923, and the Derry’s were still involved in the management. On Dec. 13, 1923, “The El Reno American” reported, Derry to Open Saturday. Unless unforeseen circumstance arises, the Derry theatre will be restored to El Reno on Saturday night when Mr. and Mrs. Al Derry will open up with a combined picture show and vaudeville their new playhouse in the old armory building at the corner of Rock Island and Hayes. The new addition to the theatrical field, which will be the fourth to be put into commission in El Reno, has been fitted up with one of the largest stages in this part of the state, and Mr. Derry states that he has booked a number of high-class road shows for the coming winter. The building will have a seating capacity of 900 and will be heated with coal furnace” (page 1).
On Dec. 19, 1923, the “El Reno Daily Democrat” announced, “New Derry Theatre Will Open Tonight” (page 1). The article continued, “The New Derry Theatre at the corner of Rock Island and Hays street will open tonight with a big feature program…The opening of the Derry offers a wide range of entertainment – spoken drama, film drama and vaudeville” (page 1).
To be continued…
