Stella Theater

Constructed in 1916, this former theater and film venue was a popular gathering place for Council Grove residents for much of the twentieth century. After its construction by T.W. Whiting, who named the theater after his daughter, it was renamed the Ritz Theater in 1936 but remained known by either name. One of Stella Whiting's children called the theater Council Grove's "public form of recreation." Sadly, though, as the city's population dropped, so did demand for small businesses like this one. The Stella showed its final film in 1999 and its last play the following year. In 2001, it was purchased by a Lawrence, Kansas businessman. Upon realizing the extent of needed repairs, the new owner offered to give the building away as long as the new owner was willing to pay the estimated $400,000 needed for repairs. Despite some early interest from local historians, though, no one apparently took him up on his offer, and the Stella remains vacant today.

The Stella Opera House was constructed by local builder T.W. Whiting, who named the establishment after his daughter. After opening in 1916, it showed live musicals and theater productions and was renamed the Stella Theater in 1918 when it began to screen motion pictures. In 1936, it was renamed the Ritz Theater but became commonly known by either name. Over the years, it became a staple of downtown Council Grove, with residents across several generations sharing their fond memories of spending time here. According to Helen Judd, Stella Whiting's daughter, called the theater the town's "public form of recreation."

As with many other small-town businesses, the Stella Theater sadly suffered from decreased demand when the population of Council Grove began to fall. The city's population peaked prior to World War II and has been steadily dropping ever since, especially from the 1970s. As a result, the theater was forced to show its last film in 1999 and its last play the following year. After some use in 2000 for special events, it closed its doors permanently and has remained unused ever since. As a result, its condition has seriously deteriorated, facing a number of issues in need of fixing. Neither of the building's two bathrooms comply with modern disability laws. Plaster has fallen onto the theater seats from the ceiling, water leaks from the walls, and the ceiling has begun to sag. In 2001, it was purchased by Mick Ranney, owner of Footprints, a shoe store in Lawrence. After a few years of ownership, Ranney stated that his purchase "was a mistake" and that he wanted to sell the theater, but only to someone who would save it. He publicly offered to give it away for free if the new owner was willing to pay the estimated $400,000 needed for repairs. However, no one was apparently willing to take him up on this offer, and the Stella Theater sits vacant to this day.

Scout. Halfway to the Pacific, Scouting NY. July 27th, 2010. Accessed March 1st, 2024. https://scoutingny.com/halfway-to-the-pacific/.

Ritz Theater, Cinema Treasures. Accessed March 1st, 2024. https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/4739.

Lawrence businessman aims to save Stella, Lawrence Journal-World. June 21st, 2003. Accessed March 1st, 2024. https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/jun/21/lawrence_businessman_aims/.