Starlite,

Opened 1948 by the Ottwells from San Marcos

Purchased in 1952 by Hoover Edwards

Run by Ms Mary Ann K. from 1963 until it closed in the early 1970s

The theater was open seven days a week, year round until the last year when they switched to 3 days a week.

Crew required to operate the theater was:

1 Projectionist

3 - 4 concession stand

1 ticket booth

Movie bookings were handled by Jefferson Amusement in Dallas.  This company folded in the late 1960s or early 70s leaving the theater to fend for its self in the movie scheduling department.  This was sited as the main reason for the closure a few years later

The starlight boasted 200 -  250 speakers with a gypsum stone lot.  There was a one sided wooden marquee that faced the road to the right of the ticket booth.

The original sign above the ticket both was reported to have been red white and blue.  Since the sign is currently painted red and white I assume that the neon was blue.

1020 Highway 78, 1976 only:  The screen, concession stand and ticket booth remain.   

This is a fine looking theater that could possibly be resurrected but it would take some serious effort to get it fixed up right.  The biggest problem I see with it is that it sits in the flood plane.  The entire area was under water during the 1998 flood.  the only part that was above water was the ticket booth and the screen portion of the screen.  The ground d is very soft and it was used as a BMX bike track in the early to mid 90s.  I would like to at least see someone reserve the "Starlite Theater" sign.

The sign is a cut and spotwelded sheetmetal sign that once held neon light tubes.  It is still very restorable.  In reality the ticket booth isn't really that bad off either.  It needs some new boards and an new roof but I think it's salvageable.  

 The projection booth is one of the partially submerged concrete block style buildings.  It was set low to the ground so that cars could part behind the booth and still be able to see the movie.  It is still there, but it is currently being used to store junk cars. Here is a close up of the above Photo.

The screen is in remarkably good condition, considering it hasn't been tended since 1976.  Of course in 1976 it was a new screen so I'm sure that helped some.  The finish is starting to peel in few spots, some graffiti has been sprayed on the bottom edge and the support poles are starting to rust pretty bad, but other than that it is in pretty good condition.  I think it looks pretty majestic standing out there among the trees.

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