OAK GROVE, La. (AP) - Oak Grove’s historic Fiske Theatre has officially joined the National Registry of Historic Places.
The News-Star reports (https://tnsne.ws/LjoO2m ) the Fiske received final approval from the U.S. Parks Service last week.
The Fiske is owned by the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce and operated by Holland Entertainment. It earned unanimous approval for nomination to the National Registry by the Louisiana State National Registry Review Board in Baton Rouge late last year.
“It is my honor not only to be the U.S. representative, but also a native of West Carroll to see the theater I attended as a child restored to such a stature that it has been over the last few years to be now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places,” U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister, R-Swartz, said.
The theater is northeastern Louisiana’s last single-screen movie house that still shows first- and second-run screenings.
The first Fiske Theatre was opened in downtown Oak Grove in 1928 by the late Donald Fiske, who also built the new Fiske across the street in 1950 and later donated the theater to the chamber in 1988.
When Fiske opened the new theater, he was presented the Exhibitor and Theatre Catalog’s Merit Award as being the most modern and well-appointed theater in the nation. That “Oscar” is still displayed at the Fiske.
The Fiske was nominated to the National Registry on the criteria of its Architectural Contributions to Mid-Century Theatre Construction and the historical cultural impact it has had for generations of fans.
“Words cannot express how big of an honor this is not just for the theater, but for the town of Oak Grove, our citizens and all of West Carroll Parish,” said Adam Holland, who is also the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce’s director of special events. “This listing brings with it much distinction and prestige for the theater and the town, as well as the possibility for grants to preserve the building for our posterity.”
The Fiske is the first building in Oak Grove to be listed on the National Registry.
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Information from: The News-Star, https://www.thenewsstar.com
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