The “Cactus Theatre”(Lincoln Theatre) was originally constructed by Egon W. G. Wieselmann, in 1937. Mr. Wieselmann, stated he was bent on filling the need for a larger, finer theatre building in Limon. The cost of the building on the land just north of the Masonic building on the west side of the street was estimated to be $10,000.00. Construction began in November of 1937. I have been told by old timers around the area, that the foundation was dug using a team of mules and some sort of farm implement. Mr. Wieselmann build the theatre backwards, (you walk into the auditorium facing the audience with the screen to your back), in order to save $300.00 in excavation costs, by following the natural slope of the land. To my knowledge, we are one of maybe three original old theatre built this way and still in operation.
The theatre had it’s grand opening at 7:30 on June 16, 1938, showing the movie “There’s Always a Woman” starring Joan Blondell, Melvyn Douglas, Mary Astor, and Frances Drake. “Modern Screen Magazine” said of the movie, “It’s ‘THE THIN MAN” and “THE AWFEL TRUTH” woven into one. Five hundred souvenirs were given out to the First Nighters! The new theatre featured modern beauty of design through out. 327 Spring Cushioned Seats….Summer and Winter Air-Conditioning…Ultramodern Simplex-RCA Sound and Projection Equipment…(which is still in use)…A Spacious Lobby and Restrooms.
Through out its history the theatre has been host to many community events in addition to providing movie entertainment. June 27-28-29, 1938 “Star In My Kitchen” the talking motion picture, provided a cooking school, which was a thrilling treat for every woman. And it was “Free”.
In March of 1939, 750 farmers saw a free conservation show at the Cactus. The film was providing Educational Messages on Soil Conservation. The film was provided by the government and B.W. McGinnis of the regional office of the S.C.C. gave interesting and timely lectures on the drive to combat erosion in various forms.
The theatre hosted a New Years Party December 31, 1939, with novelties, balloons and noise-makers. It was to become an annual tradition for many years. Admission at that time was 30 cents.
In May of 1941 the Cactus announced a new program policy, Tuesdays of each week admissions were to be lowered to 10 cents for children and 20 cents for adults all tax included. The first picture to be shown on Tuesday was “Too Many Girls”.
The theatre even had “A Midnite Show” for “Limon Day, Saturday at 11:pm. It was full of spice and fun. Cesar Romero and Carole Landis starred in Dance Hall and from the San Francisco Fair came Sally Randy’s NUDE RANCH (Girls as you like to see them). (Children admitted only with their parents)
September 25, 1941, Patrons will view Bond Sale Movie Premiere, “Suicide Squadron”. As an added attraction “The Battle of Midway”, official U.S. Navy Technicolor pictures of that famous battle will be shown. These films had just been released. The only was to get tickets was to purchase $50 bonds to help the war effort.
February 1943 the Cactus hosted a “Junk” show, for the purpose of collecting scrap copper and brass vitally needed for the war effort. There was no admission price, but to attend the show it was necessary to present two pounds of some article made of copper, bronze or brass. Over 300 persons attended the showing mostly school children. The movie was “ Wyoming” starring Wallace Berry.
In June of 1945 Mr. Wielselmann sold the Cactus Theatre to John L. Steele. To celebrate this big day, the theatre had arranged for radio’s Original Singing Cowboy, Jack Norman, and Dick Phillips, National Champion fiddle player to appear in person Friday afternoon and evening.
The Cactus theatre brought an unusual picture to the screen June 26,27, 28 of 1945. “To the Shores of Iwo Jima”. Included in this film was the taking of Mt Suribachi and the flag-raising which had become the theme of the Seven War Loan Drive. The picture was taken by official U.S. Marine photographers and it served to bring the war home to people with a wallop, the likes of which were never experience before.
Extra, Extra….. Taken at the ringside! Joe Louis vs. Jersey Joe Walcott. Offical Heavyweight championship fight films. December 12, 1947
Tuesday only August 10, 1948, In Person Cal Shrum and his famous Rhythm Rangers Jamboree and other Big Acts of Vaudeville.
February 1949 Benefit Show “Isn’t It Romantic” All proceeds from this show will be given to the Lincoln County March of Dimes Fund.
October 4, 1948, In Person, Walt Shrum and his Colorado Hill Billies, NBC Radio Stars to perform at the Cactus.
Cactus Theatre is sold to two Denver men in quick deal completed over the weekend. Sam Feinstein and Charles McCarthy purchased the Cactus from Johnny Steele who took over the theatre from his father, John Steele in 1947. September 30 1949 McCarthy and Feinstein will take ownership. They plan vast improvements and redecorating including a new marquee.
July 1950 Lincoln Theatre booked state act. Wall Overman appeared at the Lincoln theatre on July 19, 1950. He was one of Vaudeville’s finest cartoon acts. Press reports all over the United States proclaimed him “tops”.
Kids wait in line for Mr. C, Man of Comedy and Mystery. Kids were given a real show at the big Christmas Party sponsored by the Lincoln Theatre and the Limon Leader. In addition to the magician, the kids saw a good movie and each one got a box of candy.
The Lincoln Theatre, in conjunction with the Limon Leader news paper and the Chamber of Commerce has continued to provide a free movie at Christmas time for all youngsters and the young at heart, free of charge. The kids had a swell time.
December 8-9 the Lincoln presented on screen the Limon vs Johnstown football game, narrated by Coach Dines.
Men 7’ tall admitted free to “King Solomon’s Mines”. This was the height of the Watussi natives in the movie.
February 1951, the cost of admission to increase to 60 cents due to increased cost of operations. Student prices will remain the same.
October 12, 1951 was movie star day in Limon. The owners of the Lincoln Theatre made arrangements for the appearance of two widely know stars, Spring Byington ,Raymond Walburn and Debra Pagent to appear in Limon. Coffee and cookies were served as refreshments and the two stars happily signed autographs.
The larges picture the theatre has ever seen was “Old Yeller”, when 2000 people saw the movie in only 2 days.
September 1952, Movie Screen Contest, See Your Child on Our Movie Screen in Glorious Natural Color. No Entry Fee, No Obligation, No Charge. Only at the Lincoln Theatre.
February 23 1961. A new screen is installed at the Lincoln. It is called a Super-Optical Seamless and is made of seamless vinyl plastic. To give new clarity and depth to the picture the screen is covered with two coats of pearl white mother-of-pearl. (Still in use today.) It was only the third such screen to be installed in Colorado.
October 1965. Lincoln installs new seating and carpet. Seating capacity will be cut to 277 seats to offer more leg room.
The theatre continues to offer a variety of services, as well as entertainment. It has been used to reach out to Christians and those seeking the Lord. Through the local churches we have provided Christian movies, free of charge and witnessed people accept Christ as their savior after the showings.
In 1996, local teens “camped” out in front of the theatre to be the first in line for a “Star Spangled Live Concert” featuring star impersonators, including, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, The Blues Brothers, John Travolta and Tom Jones.
We have offered matinees for the SCOOTT (Senior Citizens Out On The Town) program for the senior citizen at Prairie View Nursing Home.
The theatre provides free movies passes to the Limon School District for an outstanding student of the week.
The Hugo-Genoa School is co-sponsoring free movie passes to all students who do well on their CSAP tests.
The Theatre has provided “50” movies for the annual “James Dean Daze” classic car show.
The list can go on and on. No other business in Limon has been in continual operation in the same location for over 65 years. No other business has had the impact on lives as the Lincoln Theatre has. We have been here to provide entertainment and escape. People came during the thirties and the war came to be transported to a different place for a couple of hours. They came to forget their worries and troubles, and they continue to do so.
The 1990 tornado did some damage to the theatre, but was structurally sound. In fact the engineers who inspected the building, told us, they had never seen a building built as well as the theatre building. The marquee was destroyed and had to be replaced. The theatre was the first business to reopen for business. In three weeks by work day and night, we managed to put things back together and we were once again providing a place for people to come and “get away from it all” for a period of time.
Parents can still drop their kids off at the movies, and know they will be safe. My husband and myself, never leave the theatre, until all kids, regardless of age, have been picked up by their parents. It is still “the” date place to go, whether you are 16 or 60. We try to provide a variety of picture for all tastes. We adhere to the “R” restrictions and preview all movies prior to showing them, so that we may inform parents as to the content of the movie and why it got it’s particular rating. The theatre is the social gathering place for this community and always has been. Should you have further questions, please contact me. Thank you for your time and consideration.