Majestic Theatre

The story

Texas's first air-conditioned theater featured fake stars and moving clouds, and nearly faced the wrecking ball before a local hero saved it.

Everything that was here

• 1929–present · still open

  Majestic TheatreTheater

  Texas's first air-conditioned theater featured fake stars and moving clouds, and nearly faced the wrecking ball before a local hero saved it.

  See the map in 1930 →
• 1909–present · still open

  The Gunter HotelHotel

  Robert Johnson recorded the most important blues sessions in history here, and a gruesome unsolved murder left Room 636 forever haunted.

  See the map in 1910 →
• 1917–1987

  Frost Brothers Department StoreDepartment Store

  This high-fashion retailer rivaled Neiman Marcus and had an in-house Gucci boutique before bankruptcy ended 70 years of San Antonio luxury.

  See the map in 1918 →
• 1926–1979

  Texas TheatreTheater

  The theater that hosted the premiere of the first-ever Academy Award-winning film was demolished despite a $12 million rescue offer.

  See the map in 1927 →

Nearby history