Welcome to

The Grand Theater in Douglas, Arizona

The Grand Theatre opened in 1919. It was considered to be the largest and most beautiful theatre between Los Angeles, California and San Antonio, Texas. Ginger Rogers, Pavlova and John Philip Sousa to mention just a few performed on stage at the Grand Theatre. Originally, it also housed a Tea Room, a candy store and a barbershop. It was the site of many live stage productions, movies, and Douglas High School graduations.

This aging dowager of theatres has fallen on hard times over the years, having endured a collapsed roof due to plugged rain gutters and massive interior damage from the infiltrating water. However, the Grand is in the process of being restored to her original beauty and splendor. In addition to being listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings, the Grand is also on the "Endangered List" of Historical Buildings that need immediate attention.

The Douglas Arts and Humanities has taken on the enormous task of the restoration and refurbishment of this grand old building. However, they do need help. In an ongoing fund raising project they have received a grant for which they have to come up with matching funds. The feasibility of restoring the Grand theatre to its former glory is guaranteed if all the phases of restoration are met. We would like to ask you to join the Douglas Arts and Humanities to help us save this wonderful piece of history. There is much to do and several organizations have indicated that they would like to use our facilities once they have been restored. Please help us restore the Grand Theatre.....so that she can once again be the largest and most beautiful dowager theatre between Los Angeles and San Antonio. Maybe even the whole southwest. Below you will find membership information and the plans of restoration.

Membership Information

We now offer two options for becoming a member. You may use the button below and pay via a secure internet site or you may mail us payment.

Please send your payment along with your name, mailing address and telephone number to:

Membership Chairman
Douglas Arts and Humanities Association, Inc.
1139 G Avenue
Douglas, AZ   85607

DAHA is a non profit organization and is tax-exempt under Section 501 (C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your donation is tax deductible.

 

 

The following is an itemization of work to complete restoration & rehabilitation of the Grand Theatre in phases. The duration of each phase will be determined by the success of fund raising efforts. The scope of work and/or ordering of phases may be shifted to accommodate specified donations and respond to opportunities for utilization of the property.

PHASE I - Establish rental occupancy to stabilize property's economic and physical condition.

• Restore two store fronts.
• Rehabilitate shop interiors
• Construct shared accessible restroom
• Reactivate electrical service - 200 amp service installed on building.
• Install new circuit panel, and complete electrical circuiting to both store front offices, and movie marquee.
• Install 2 zone split system ductless heat pump mechanical unit
• General clean up.
• Reactivate City of Douglas Water and Sewer services.
• Relocate organ and console from church to Theatre basement.
•  Secure windows and openings to prevent varmint infiltration.

PHASE II - Expand rental occupancy to generate positive cash flow for continuation of restoration/rehabilitation.

• Clear debris out of balcony/basement/mezzanine/stage/lobby and entry porch
• Rehabilitate basement for rental space - dance studio/practice hall
• Rehabilitate covered entry, lobby, mezzanine for retail space - cafe, restaurant, specialty shop, office.
• Construct second accessible restroom.
• Install permanent electrical service with capacity to serve entire rehabilitated property.
• Install two additional three zone split system ductless heat pump mechanical units.

• Apply weather proofing membrane at balcony floor and weather closures as balcony entrances.

PHASE III - Re-establish assembly performance function with minimal facilities

• Clear debris from auditorium, stage and stage basement
• Construct new roof structures at main roof and stage roof.
• Rehabilitate stage flooring
• Install temporary stage sound and lighting systems
• Restore and install 200 seats
• Complete accessibility upgrades and emergency exiting.
• Construct snack bar.
•  Construct balcony restrooms.

PHASE IV - Restoration of lobby/covered entry/facade - upgrade performance capabilities.

• Restoration of Terra Cotta facade
• Restore covered entry/lobby/staircases
• Reconstruct organ chamber, rehabilitate organ and reinstall
• Rehabilitate stage fly space and stage equipment. Install permanent stage lighting and sound system
• Rehabilitate auditorium finishes
• Restore and install 600 seats
•  Install auditorium HVAC system

For more information please contact call: 520-364-6144

 

email: Douglas Arts & Humanitites

 

 

The 1st Annual DAHA Car Raffle Winner

The winner of our 1st  Annual Automobile Raffle was Mr. Larry Freeman of Frisco, Texas who held ticket #188. We want to congratulate Larry, who took a cash prize. Douglas Arts & Humanities Association wishes to thank everyone who has supported the restoration of our beloved Grand Theatre by purchasing raffle entries  We hope you will enter our 3rd Annual Raffle whose details are listed above.

  The  2nd Annual DAHA Car Raffle Winner

The winner of the Douglas Arts and Humanities 2003 Thunderbird Raffle is Mr. George Swope of Baltimore, Maryland who held Ticket Number 118. The winning ticket was drawn as presented in the Contest Rules by Mr. Bill Wendt, a local Douglas Arizona businessman, at 11:00 AM, during our local 4th of July parade and activities, in the Grand Theatre Lobby.  We want to congratulate Mr. Swope, who will receive a cash prize as determined in the Contest Rules.

The Douglas Arts & Humanities Association wishes to thank everyone who has supported the restoration of the Grand Theatre in Douoglas, Arizona by purchasing our 2nd Annual DAHA 2003 Thunderbird Raffle tickets. We hope you will enter our next raffle. Bookmark this site and visit us again in the weeks to come for information concerning our next raffle!

Corporate Member and Staunch Supporter:
The Douglas Cinema
1111 San Antonio
Douglas, Arizona 85608
email: Douglas Cinema

"Helping our Community Grow"