Opened in 1930, the theater is one of Denver's most recognizable movie houses and one of the few surviving examples of Mayan Revival architecture in the country. The exterior is covered with intricate designs inspired by Mesoamerican art, including masks, figures, and decorative patterns that make it stand out from just about anything else on Broadway.
What I like most about the Mayan is that it still feels like a movie palace. While so many historic theaters have disappeared over the years, this one managed to survive. In the 1980s, local preservationists stepped in and helped save the building from demolition, allowing future generations to continue enjoying one of Denver's architectural treasures.
The giant blade sign remains one of the highlights. Day or night, it's hard to miss and continues to be one of the best-known theater signs in Colorado.
UPDATE: The Mayan Theatre remains open today and continues to operate as one of Denver's premier venues for independent and foreign films. The historic neon blade sign and marquee have been restored and remain an important part of the Broadway streetscape. 06-26
Boulder Theatre
Boulder, CO Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Boulder Theatre is one of those signs that instantly tells you where you are. Standing tall above downtown Boulder, the bright neon marquee has been lighting up the street for decades and remains one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.
The building's roots go back to 1906 when it opened as the Curran Opera House. In 1936, it was completely transformed into the Art Deco showpiece that survives today. The renovation gave Boulder its famous vertical neon sign, sleek facade, and the look that generations of moviegoers and concertgoers have come to know. While many historic theaters have become museums or sat vacant, the Boulder Theatre continues to host concerts, film screenings, festivals, and community events. The neon still glows, the marquee still draws people in, and the building remains an active part of downtown life.
UPDATE: The Boulder Theatre continues to operate as one of Colorado's premier entertainment venues. A major restoration completed in 2025 helped preserve the building's Art Deco facade and ensure that the iconic neon sign remains lighting up downtown Boulder for years to come. 06-26
Crown Theatre (Closed)
Price, UT Photo courtesy Tony Craig
At night, the flickering bulbs of the Crown
Theatre marquee light up, drawing in the crowds.
The Crown Theatre was one of those classic Main Street movie houses that served generations of local residents. Its history stretches all the way back to 1911 when it first opened as the Eko Theatre during the silent film era. Over the years it operated under several names, including the Lyric Theatre and Utah Theatre, before becoming the Crown Theatre in 1950.
What I like about this one is the marquee. Even without a giant blade sign or elaborate neon display, the rows of flashing bulbs give it that unmistakable movie theater feel. You can almost imagine families gathering on Main Street to see the latest film while the lights chased around the sign overhead.
Like many small-town theaters, the Crown eventually faced changing times and closed in 2009 after nearly a century of operation. Fortunately, the building and marquee survived, providing a visible reminder of Price's entertainment history.
UPDATE: The Crown Theatre remains standing on Main Street, though it has been closed for many years. The historic marquee still survives and continues to be one of the most recognizable pieces of downtown Price. 06-26
The Reel Theatre (Rem.)
Heber City, UT Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Reel Theatre in Heber City features neon lettering
on its front advertising board. This sign represents a brief chapter in the long history of one of Heber City's best-known movie houses. The building originally opened in 1948 as the Avon Theatre, bringing first-run movies to the Heber Valley. Around 2000, the theater became part of the Reel Theatre chain and received updated signage, including the neon lettering seen here.
While the sign itself wasn't especially flashy, it caught my attention because it documented a specific moment in the building's history. Many old theaters changed names, owners, and appearances over the years, and this photo captures the theater during its Reel Theatre era rather than its original Avon Theatre days. Movie theaters have always been an important part of small-town Main Streets, and this one has managed to survive while many others disappeared. The building continues to serve the Heber City crowd for more than 75 years after it first opened its doors.
UPDATE: The Reel Theatre name disappeared after the property changed hands in the mid-2000s. Following restoration efforts, the historic theater returned to its original Avon Theater name and remains in operation today, while the Reel Theatre signage shown here has been removed. 06-26
Dogie Theatre
New Castle, WY Photo and info courtesy Larry Glass
The Dogie Theatre and its marquee can be found in New Castle, Wyoming. The best part is the neon dogie out front. At night, one eye lights up, then the other eye, then both eyes together, giving the little guy a wink for everyone passing by. Information about the theatre can be found at the Dogie Theatre website.
The theater opened in 1951 and took its name from the local high school mascot. A "dogie" is a motherless calf, which makes the name a perfect fit for this part of cattle country. Even without the animation, the marquee would be worth a stop, but the winking neon gives it a personality all its own. 12-07
UPDATE: The Dogie Theatre remains open today and continues to show movies in downtown New Castle. The historic neon marquee still survives, including the animated winking dogie. 06-26
Nuart Theatre (Closed)
Moscow, ID Photo courtesy Candace Courts
The Nuart Theatre is a familiar sight along Main Street in downtown Moscow, Idaho. With its glowing marquee and classic theater facade, it has been part of the community for generations.
The theater opened in 1935 and spent decades showing first-run movies to audiences in the heart of town. Like many small-town theaters, it eventually struggled to compete with changing entertainment habits and closed in 1999. Fortunately, the story didn't end there.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, helping preserve one of downtown Moscow's most recognizable landmarks. In 2004, the theater found a new purpose when Community Christian Ministries reopened the building as a non-profit outreach center and street ministry. While movies no longer fill the auditorium, the historic structure continues to serve the community in a different way. Well, the marquee still glows along Main Street, making the Nuart one of those places that immediately catches your eye when walking through downtown Moscow. 05-09
UPDATE: The Nuart Theatre remains home to Community Christian Ministries and continues to serve as a community outreach center in downtown Moscow. The historic theater building and its familiar marquee remain an important part of the city's streetscape. 06-26
Boulder Theatre
The Reel Theatre (Rem.)
