Photo by Matt StephensEntertaining Montgomery County since 1934
The Conroe landscape has changed since the Crighton Theatre's construction in 1934, as has the type of entertainment provided by the historical landmark over the last 79 years. However, the building has been a constant in the community, providing not only residents, but people from across the state and country a venue to enjoy community theater and musical performances.
Executive Director Jim Bingham said the theater was constructed in 1934. Funded by then-Mayor Harry Crighton, who had recently discovered oil on his property, the theatre opened Nov. 26, 1935. Bingham said Crighton wanted to construct a premier movie house where people from across the area could view films.
"When they made movies [in the '30s] they made six or eight master copies of the film and those traveled around," Bingham said. "When the movie came to town, if you didn't see the movie that weekend, you didn't get to see the movie."
However, the development and success of the modern multiplexes had a negative impact on smaller movie houses like the Crighton, and the theater went into disrepair in the 1960s. The Montgomery County Foundation for Performing Arts was given the facility by the Crighton family in the late '70s with the task of renovating the theatre. Since its renovations, the Crighton has been a destination for major artists, such as Clint Black, Ray Price, and the Houston Symphony.
