The Beltonian Theatre

In May 1922, the Temple Daily Telegram announced the name of Belton’s new picture show house as “The Beltonian.” From a list of over three hundred suggestions, members of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors selected the name submitted by two different people, each without the other’s knowledge. Miss Bernice Bible, a student at Baylor College, and Mrs. C. E. Metcalfe chose the name, and for their entries received season passes to the theatre. Mr. Lee Walker, owner, reportedly was pleased with the name. The name stuck and the Beltonian has been in operation, showing movies and hosting live events since 1922.

The Beltonian soon became a hub of activity in downtown Belton. In addition to showing movies, the theatre hosted live acts such as Ches Davis’ all-star vaudeville revue, sponsored community-wide Christmas parties/movies for local children, and even served as the meeting place for the Business Men’s Class of the Baptist church. Lee Walker was commended for “showing the best films out.” High quality films such as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Scaramouche,” “The Fighting Blade,” “The Ten Commandments,” and “Anna Christie” were shown in Belton before larger cities had access to them. During World War II, “war loan premieres” were often held at the popular location, and the “Miss Belton” beauty pageant took to the stage in 1941. The Belton Journal praised the Beltonian as a real asset to the city.

Two notable educational films came to the theatre. A birth control film entitled “Tell Me Why,” endorsed by local club women as well as the Child Conservation League of America and the Women’s Athletic Club of Illinois, was shown in 1925. The film told the story of a “self-indulgent woman who refused her birthright to become a mother.” Owing to the delicate nature of the subject matter, afternoon showings were limited to women only and evening showings were reserved for men only. Children under 16 were not admitted unless accompanied by a parent. In 1930, the Belton Rotary Club sponsored “Africa Speaks,” an all-talkie picture of an exploring party led by Paul L. Hoefler that spent fourteen months in unexplored regions of Africa, filming natives and hunting wild animals. The proceeds benefitted the student loan fund and the Belton Carnegie Library. In 1973, a film called “The Romance of Belton” premiered at the theatre. Set in 1930s Belton, the cast featured well-known Belton children such as Betty George Eads, Wilbur Carl Flewellen, Gladys Bailey, Roy Cochran, Arthur Neale Potts, Susan Sanderford, Nora Mae Cluck, and others. Scenes of Yettie Polk Park, the Belton Yarn Mill, students of Belton High School, Tyler Ward and Tarver Ward Schools, and the 1929 Belton Tiger football team were included.

In 1924 the management of the Beltonian changed. Lee Walker remained the owner, but the day-to-day operations were carried out by Furman L. Wolf, formerly of Lampasas. A fire in December 1926 destroyed the structure at a cost of $10,000; however, the theatre was up and running again by April 1927 with the showing of a comedy called “See You in Jail.” In 1928, the owners of the Beltonian took over the Palace Theatre from Mrs. W. E. Crow. A considerable amount of remodeling added a new box-office, foyer, and more comfortable seating. Both the Palace and the Beltonian featured De Luxe screens with the latest in projection equipment. When talking pictures made their debut at the Beltonian in 1929, Wolf installed the best new sound equipment the market afforded at the time. Synchronized music, amplified and cued to the pictures, markedly improved the viewing experience. The Belton Journal was effusive in its praise: “For the past two weeks the house has been the scene of a bustling but well organized activity to hasten completion of every detail in connection with the new equipment for the opening next Wednesday night, when ‘The Virginian,” an all-talkie, and other talkie features will furnish the first sound picture for Belton. One of the greatest problems confronting theatre architects and engineers since the advent of sound pictures is the acoustical treatment of the theatre. Special treatment has been given the auditorium of the Beltonian, and patrons will find it almost acoustically perfect.” In 1930, Wolf sold his interest in the Wolf-Walker picture shows of Belton to H.H. Cluck of San Antonio. Cluck was formerly a traveling representative for the Universal Film Exchange. Under Cluck’s management, an “air washing and cooling machine” was installed to keep theatre patrons cool, and Western Electric sound equipment was introduced. The quality of the sound reproduction was so outstanding that the theatre received an award in the form of a bronze plaque from the Exhibitors Herald Magazine that read, “A mark of honor bestowed on this theatre for its perfect reproduction of sound pictures.” By the 1950s, the Beltonian needed sprucing up. Originally built in the Art Deco style popular in the 1920s, the building was modified when the stucco front was replaced with blonde tile bordered in green, the doors received a blonde finish, and the marquee was refurbished. A confectionary bar with leatherette upholstery and striped awning was added to the lobby.

Over the years, the ownership of the Beltonian changed frequently. After being closed for decades, the theatre was purchased in 2006 by Copperas Cove businessmen, Johnny Ward and Brandon Sanders. In 2010 Wes Riddle bought the theatre but sold it a year later when he decided to run for Congress; in 2012, Roy Bufis purchased the venue which closed after only five months. It remained closed for four years and was reopened in 2017 by Zechariah Baker. A Halloween event sponsored in 2021 claimed the theatre is haunted by “Mary,” a thirteen-year-old girl who was hit by a car outside the Beltonian. The century-old theatre continues to attract new crowds and offer classic entertainment for local residents. On May 10, 2022, the Beltonian was the first business to get a city of Belton historical marker to honor its 100 years of existence.

“Beltonian to Present ‘Romance of Belton.’ Belton Journal, July 19, 1973.

Sanchez, Jacob. “Bringing Back the Beltonian.” Temple Daily Telegram, October 14, 2017.

Mendoza, Nohely. “Beltonian Theatre Offering Historic Scares with Haunted House.” Fox44news.com

“Giant Epic of Savagery Coming to Beltonian Theatre.” Belton Journal, November 6, 1930.

“Talking Pictures for Beltonian: Will Open Next Wednesday Nite.” Belton Journal, November 14, 1929.

“’The Beltonian’ Name of Theatre.” Temple Daily Telegram, May 11, 1922.

Valley, Joel. "Beltonian Theatre Celebrates 100 Years." Temple Daily Telegram, May 10, 2022.

“Walker Shows Best Films Out.” Belton Journal, April 28, 1924.