For over a century, the Fox Theatre in Walsenburg, built initially as the Star Theatre in 1917, has been a critical entertainment hub. Designed by I.H. and W.M. Rapp, it featured vaudeville shows and a Wurlitzer pipe organ. Renamed Valencia in 1929, it was later acquired by Fox West Coast Theatre Corporation and remodeled in Art Deco style in 1941. Frank Piazza leased the Fox Theatre in 1959, later purchasing it and managing it until its closure in 1987. In 1992, the Walsenburg chapter of the Optimist International Club, led by George Birrer, bought the theatre and revitalized it as a youth center. The Huerfano Youth and Arts Foundation, formed by the Optimists, aimed to present young talent and received significant grants for renovations. The theatre, now a historic landmark, continues to serve as an entertainment venue.
Around the end of January 1959, the Huerfano World announced the sale of the historic Fox Theatre by Paul Krier to Frank Piazza. While the information was published previous to the actual sale, Piazza did indeed lease the theater at that time and eventually purchased it. Piazza had a long history with the theater himself, having started work at one as a door opener.
Krier said he had entered the theater business in 1910 in the old Walsen and Levy store near the corner of Seventh and Main Streets. At least his brother Lucien was a theater owner then, proved by the fact he and his partner (and even their piano player!) were actually arrested for running a moving picture show without a license. This was the Star Theater, and it had competition from the McCormick family’s theater, the Huerfano, across the street, and the Otto in the former Mazzone building at Sixth and Main. Walsenburg loved her entertainment and moving pictures filled in the boring times between the coming of theatrical troupes and circuses.
That the Star was a popular feature on that corner was illustrated by the businesses surrounding it – the Star Barber Shop, Star Confectionery, Star Garage, Star Grocery, Star Pool Hall, and the ubiquitous Star Drug just kitty-cornered across the street.
In 1917, Krier built an all-new, all modern (for the time) building to house his moving picture theater. This was the large brick and concrete building we know today, located at 715 Main, or just a few doors south of its previous location. The Star building underwent several remodelings, taking on an Art Deco façade and becoming the Fox Valencia in 1929. In 1937 a new marquee with neon lights was added and in 1941 the new one and a half story high FOX sign went up. The former yellow with black, green, and orange trim paint job of 1927 was replaced with blue and white, which in turn gave way to pink in 1950.
The Fox Theater was affiliated with the Fox Theatre Corporation, which itself operated under several names. Krier was credited with being the first theater owner in Colorado to affiliate with the company.
Krier’s original Star could, and did, seat 700 people, with the balcony holding 300 of them. Through the years, the seating was replaced with larger chairs, and the capacity lowered. The space was used to enlarge the lobby and concession stand, the restrooms, and office.
After so many years ramrodding the theater, Krier gradually turned more of his attention to his other interests and hired managers to take day-to-day control.
Once Piazza had taken over ownership, he had the marquee updated and moved the front entrance doors and snack bar. He modernized the heating system. He must have enjoyed running a theater because, in 1962, he built the Trail Drive-in out on Highway 160 west of Walsenburg. Alas, before it was even completed, one of Huerfano’s famous little breezes stripped the framework off and almost a year later, another one toppled the $12,000 screen. This was replaced with a larger one of 3,200 square feet before the drive-in season started.
Piazza and his wife Lena usually opened the Trail around the first of May when the weather allowed and closed in September. Then he moved the movies into town and the Fox was opened for the winter. The drive-in was closed in the mid-1980s, and the screen removed in 2002.
Since the early 1950s, Walsenburg parents and business leaders had been searching for something or somewhere to entertain the young people of the community. Several youth centers had opened and closed their doors despite heroic efforts on the part of teens themselves and support organizations and businesses. In 1992, a core group then belonging to the Optimist Club took over the project, and through hard work, donations, and grants bought and once again updated the old Fox Theatre. They called it the Youth Center Theatre.
This building houses more than movie productions; it houses memories of childhood in free Christmas films for “tots” of the 1930s through the ‘50s, first dates, girls' nights out, and family outings to witness not only Hollywood’s output but local talent and minstrel shows, theatrical, musical, and dance productions, fashion shows, and concerts. The theatre represents an ongoing source of entertainment for, hopefully, generations to come, just as it has for the previous (and current) generations.
A much anticipated grand opening occurred 95 years ago this month when the all new Star Theatre first drew its curtains at 715 Main Street in Walsenburg.
This was the second Star Theatre. The first started at 701 Main in 1908. That year saw several moving picture theatres launched, including one in the historic Mazzone Opera House at 6th and Main and one at 118 E. 6th across the street from the Klein Hotel. These three joined the original theatre, the first in Walsenburg, which was opened by Dennis McCormick in 1907.
It is said Archie Levy opened the Star as an open air theatre on the site of the old Alex Levy store at the corner of 7th and Main and later put up a building. He sold it in 1910 to Paul Krier.
Krier operated the Star on the same site for seven years. He outlasted his competitors except for the Otto Theatre on East 6th, which in 1914 got new owners and the new name of the Empress.
Krier purchased lots just south of the Star in 1916 and the former building there, Canuto Baldonado’s saloon, was razed. In January 1917 the plan for the new brick theatre building was announced. Initially it was to be 100 by 50 foot brick structure. Excavation began in February. It opened July 1 to a capacity crowd. This must have consisted of about 800 people, for the theatre was said to have seating for 700 and standing room for another 100. It was crafted of all brick and concrete and cost $20,000.
Krier kept his theatre furnished with all the latest Hollywood updates in style, comfort and equipment. In 1929, he was the first to introduce talking pictures. The first was “Street Angel” starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. It was at the same time the Star got a new façade of Spanish/Moorish style to replace its yellow with black, green and orange color scheme. A contest was held among patrons for a new name, and the winning name was Valencia.
Practically at the same time, the Fox Coast Theatre Corporation purchased the theatre and Krier became manager. Many years later Krier was credited with opening the first Fox Theatre in Colorado. Now the Star was known as the Fox-Valencia.
Remodeling and updating of the building, inside and out, continued. The seats were moved and placed in “semi-circles for easier viewing” in 1935. In 1937 an “elaborate new marquee with neon lights” was added and the interior painted in “warm autumn colors” (tan and brown) to replace the former blue and white in the lobby and ticket office.
Krier undertook a major interior remodeling in 1941 and dropped the “Valencia” from the Fox’s name. Besides modernizing, the outside was beefed up with structural steel and a new one and a half story tall marquee with a neon FOX sign was installed. The façade was stuccoed and the entire building took on an Art Deco appearance. That same year the Fox became affiliated with the Fox Intermountain Theatre chain.
In 1950, more remodeling was done inside, and the exterior was painted pink.
Frank Piazza leased the Fox in 1959 and took over management that February. He bought it in 1969. It was closed in 1986.
In April 1992, the theatre entered a new chapter of its life.
The Walsenburg chapter of the Optimist International Club purchased it. The chapter had been organized in September 1991 by George Birrer and 25 charter members. It was dedicated to the children of Huerfano County, and various events were held to raise funds, including a bowling league, a community carnival, an oratorical contest and others. The first officers, elected in November 1991, were Birrer, president, Junior Garcia and Pete Pedraza, vice presidents, and Terry Turner, secretary/treasurer.
Members of the Optimists formed and incorporated the Huerfano Youth and Arts Foundation to purchase the Fox. Birrer again was president of the foundation, with board members being Dave Baldwin, Bill Bailey, Pete Pedraza, Hallett Stromholt and John Luginbill. Their main mission was to present young talent in musical and theatrical productions in the theatre.
The first presentation was “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in August 1992. The 10-member cast included youth from 10 to 21 years old. Before its debut, the foundation had had the plumbing and electrical systems in the old theatre updated, which by that time could seat 500. It was renamed once again, this time the Youth Center Theatre.
Shortly after the first production, the foundation received more than $50,000 in grants from the Gates Foundation, El Pomar and Coors. It was announced the funds would be used to update the heating system, but many other renovations were needed, and eventually were made.
The second play was “The Mousetrap” in December 1992. This proved to be such a hit with local audiences, its run was extended.
Plays were continued through 1993. In February 1994, the foundation members were notified it had been nominated for the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. In March, the theatre began running movies on Friday and Saturday nights and these were aimed toward children and families, with Walt Disney features being the most common choices, though the first film seems to have been the Best Film of 1993, “Schindler’s List”.
Plays were not discontinued, however, and that summer “Casablanca” was presented with Ben Price of Gardner and Amber Pierotti of Cuchara playing the parts of Bogie and Bergman.
Alana Mace made her singing debut.
In November 1994, the old Fox Theater was placed on the State Register of Historic Places, at the respectable old age of 77 years.
Huerfano County presents breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, and many recreational options.
Huerfano County was one of the 17 original counties when Colorado became a state in 1876. The word “Huerfano” (War-Fe-No) translated means “Orphan.” It was named after the lone volcanic butte 7 miles north of Walsenburg on I-25.
Walsenburg is located on I-25 and US 160, with access to Colo. Hwy 10. As the county seat, it has served as a trade center for the county and region. Walsenburg is named after Fred Walsen, an early pioneer who opened the first coal mines. The town grew quickly following the discovery of coal. Over 50 mines were developed. The mines began closing in the 1950s and are no longer in operation.
La Veta is 17 miles west of Walsenburg on Highway 12. Amidst nature’s great beauty, La Veta offers a refreshing small-town quality of life combined with the sophistication of art galleries, theater, dining, a fitness center, musical entertainment, and shopping. Highway 12 is known for its scenic beauty and is called the Highway of Legends, National Forest, and Colorado Scenic Byway. It makes its way through the Spanish Peaks Wilderness area, ending in Trinidad. Travelers are treated to the Spanish Peaks mountain ranges, the Cuchara River, ranches, rolling meadows, lakes, tall aspen and pine trees, and various wildlife.
As you continue south on Highway 12, travelers will come to the village of Cuchara. Originally settled by farmers, it became a retreat area with breathtaking beauty at over 8,000 feet.
Gardner is located northwest of Walsenburg on Highway 69. It is a quaint, ranching community popular for hiking, fishing, and backpacking along the Huerfano River and the east side of Blanca Peak.
Lathrop State Park is just 3 miles west of Walsenburg and offers camping, fishing, boating, and water skiing.
Huerfano County is also home to three National Forest Wilderness Areas. Other recreation in the immediate area includes hiking and fishing in the national forest's high mountain lakes and streams, mountain biking, camping, horseback riding, and golf at Grandote Peaks and Walsenburg golf courses. Huerfano County is the eastern “gateway” to the Great Sand Dunes National Park in the San Luis Valley.
