What can you do for a grand old dame turning 100 years old? Put a birthday shout-out in the local newspaper?
This particular centenarian frequently has her name in the local papers; I am referring to the Rio Grande Theatre, a focal point of downtown Las Cruces and a community gathering place.
The Las Cruces Citizen, reported on July 24, 1926, “At last, we are privileged to announce the definite opening date of the new Rio Grande Theatre built by Seale and Dyne … as Thursday July 29 with the powerful Sea Drama Mare Nostrum … for those who have anxiously awaited the opening of this truly wonderful institution, which is a great credit to the Southwest.
“[T]he builders have had the foresight to visualize the future in their enterprise … in the manner they have equipped the theatre...A washed air-cooling system maintains any desired temperature with its clean pure air as distributed scientifically throughout the house, the mammoth organ will be operated by Miss Elsie Dean Bristol,…which assures all lovers of accurately played pictures a treat in store for them.”
Renowned for his eclectic style, Missouri-born architect Otto Thorman left a significant architectural mark on Las Cruces, designing the 1913 Mission Revival style Goddard Hall, the 1918 Prairie School-influenced University President’s Nason House, and the 1926 Rio Grande Theatre.
Built during the "Golden Age" of American cinema, the Rio Grande Theatre replaced the demolished Hacker Hotel. It is predominantly adobe-constructed and remains one of the nation's only operating adobe movie theaters. Blending Italian Renaissance Revival design and Spanish décor, her ornate details and distinct style are unique among buildings in Las Cruces.
World-changing events had already occurred in 1926 when the Rio Grande theater opened her doors. The United States of America had just celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary of the American Revolution. The United States and Panama just signed the Panama Canal Treaty.
Norma Jeane Mortenson, better known as Marilyn Monroe; legendary jazz musician Miles Davis; and the future Queen of England, Elizabeth II, were born. Henry Ford led his company to implement the first 40-hour week.
The first successful liquid fuel rocket was launched by Robert H. Goddard, just as the first transatlantic phone call, from London to New York, was completed. A tele-vision, the first ever, was demonstrated at Scottish inventor John Logie Baird’s laboratory in London.
As is expected, years and events have wrought changes, not all of which complemented the beautiful design: An earthquake in the early 1930s led to the installation of tie-in rods, capped with metal rosettes, to stabilize the structure; following fire damage in 1933 the roof was replaced and modifications were made to the north face; in 1949 the original red and yellow marquee was removed and the intricate brick and stone work were covered by a metal screen and stucco that stretched the length of the building above the arched entrance.
In 1997 the theatre closed its doors, and the owners Jan Clute and Carolyn Muggenburg, granddaughters of an original owner, C.T. Seale, gifted the building to the Doña Ana Arts Council.
Imagine being the executive director at DAAC and you get a call asking what you would do if you were given the Rio Grande Theatre. Mickey Clute, wife of Jan, called Heather Pollard to ask that exact question. The board voted to accept the gift, giving the grand old dame a new lease on life.
At a cost of $2.2 million, the Doña Ana Arts Council oversaw a complete renovation and reinvention of the 393-seat theater to its former glory. Removal of the false front revealed that most of the original tiles were lost or damaged beyond repair, with only a quarter being salvageable.
Glenn Schwaiger, local professional ceramic artist, spearheaded the tile restoration project. Recreating sample tiles for the Rio Grande Theatre’s front was a colossal undertaking. Schwaiger made hundreds of glaze tests over several months to appropriately match the color and design of the remaining historic tiles.
The renovations regained the theatre’s historic appearance and its purpose as a performing arts center. A testament to its central importance for Las Cruces, the project was generously funded by numerous community members and businesses.
The theater reopened in 2005 and was managed by the Doña Ana Arts Council for 12 years. A sampling of the many acclaimed performers and artists who have graced the stage includes piano virtuoso George Winston, the Moscow Ballet, folk legend Janis Ian, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Vienna Boys Choir and Judy Collins.
To mark the theatre’s 89th anniversary in 2015, a public art mural depicting historic architecture, classic film scenes, and local musician Randy Granger was painted on the west wall. It was designed and painted by artist Sebastian "VELA" Velazquez; he created the artwork in collaboration with local youth from the Ignite for Fun program and Court Youth Center, led by Irene Oliver-Lewis.
Throughout its life, the theater has been remembered as a prominent and valued community space in the downtown. Irene Oliver Lewis attended Holy Cross Catholic School and went on field trips to see religious movies, and fondly remembers performing her own play, Cecilia-isms—Dichos de Mi Madre in 2016; “it was such a magical moment, walking out on the stage, with such an exchange of love and respect”.
To be eligible for state funds, the arts council gave the property to the city in 2002, however, they continued to operate the theater until 2017, when city staff proposed taking over management of the theater.
Following deliberations that grew contentious, the arts council voluntarily terminated its contract to manage it. Since being operated by the City of Las Cruces, numerous events have been staged at the theatre. Among my favorites are events at the annual Monuments to Main Street; the “Pat Garrett Western Heritage Festivals” (2019 and 2020); the “Billy the Kid Festival” (2023); and the jazz concerts for the 2026 Juneteenth Jazz Festival.
Continual use of historic structures keeps local culture alive and supports the economy through tourism and community growth. This active practice, or adaptive reuse, keeps old structures functional rather than turning them into empty museum pieces.
Las Cruces has been actively discussing and planning downtown revitalization for over 20 years, beginning with initial recovery efforts and a master plan in the early 2000s to reverse the economic decline caused by the 1960s urban renewal.
We as a community must do our part, if you want to see our downtown revitalize, and if you want to keep our historic buildings viable, then be an active participant. I challenge us all to support the Rio Grande Theatre, as well as other theatres, by periodically finding an event to attend. Make a real occasion of it and patronize a local restaurant.
The Rio Grande Theatre currently is managed by Visit Las Cruces. For questions about events, rentals or events at the theatre, contact them at 575-541-2290 or go to the calendar at https://www.riograndetheatre.org/rio-grande-theatre-calendar-2/
The author rented the theatre for her parent’s surprise 50th wedding anniversary in 2011; that event is still talked about to this day by the attendees, in part because of the location.
