In 2006, the senior class of Eads High School recognized a problem. Along Eads’ two-block main street, which had once been a hub of activity, 14 buildings were empty, abandoned, or condemned.
The historic Plains Theater, which had not been operational since 1985 and was the only movie theater within 35 miles, was among the empty buildings.
When the students first raised the issue, English teacher Mary Vasquez and Principal Betsy Barnett challenged them to find a solution to re-open the Plains Theater.
Thus, a high school class project was born. Nearly two decades later, that project has blossomed into a community-wide initiative. The results – a revitalized main street, restored youth arts programs and the completed Crow-Luther Cultural Events Center that honors Kiowa County’s past.
“(The students) first researched the history of the theater and collected all the oral interviews they could from the people who were still alive who had anything to do with its history,” said Barnett. “They then talked to other communities that had renovated and reopened their theaters. The students also worked to clean up the empty theater as best they could and painted the entire exterior. They even got the 1947 popcorn machine up and working again.”
Though they made tremendous progress, the students encountered plenty of challenges along the way. The two buildings next to the theater had been abandoned for years and their roofs had fallen in, causing water damage to all three units. A state audit also determined there could be asbestos present, so the theater remained closed.
At this point, the class of 2006 was preparing to graduate, but they couldn’t leave their community hanging. They organized a meeting with the city council, county commissioners, and community leaders, where they presented a plan to save the Plains Theater. Key facets of the plan included purchasing the two adjacent buildings to create a cultural center; forming a historical preservation commission; form a nonprofit to lead the renovation and management of the cultural center; and fundraise through public-private partnerships and apply for a Boettcher Foundation capital grant.
“Amazingly enough, everybody agreed to the students’ plans and the Crow-Luther Cultural Events Center was formed that April and the work began,” said Barnett, who now serves as the chairperson for the nonprofit.
Today, the students’ plan is working, only three buildings on main street sit empty, while the rest have been renovated and activated for community use. In fact, across from the Plains Theater is the home of the National Parks Service & Kiowa County Museum, which helps to preserve the historical significance of the area – just miles from the Sand Creek Massacre site.
The Boettcher Foundation supported the Crow-Luther Cultural Events Center with capital improvements including a digital projector which enabled the theater to screen movies beginning in 2014, as well as complete the renovation of the adjacent buildings. Soon, the additional spaces will be home to a library, multimedia room, STEM space and kitchen.
“We’re creating a space of enrichment opportunities,” said Claire Prince, who moved to Eads with her young family in 2020. “I have a special interest in food preservation, and I hope to host canning workshops for the community at the events center kitchen once it’s completed.”
With the addition of a library as part of the Crow-Luther Cultural Events Center, this plot of main street will be a triangle of knowledge for residents and visitors alike.
The space has blossomed far beyond a movie theater. The Crow-Luther Cultural Arts Center is the only organization in Kiowa County offering music, art, and drama education to young people in the community – something that the local schools have been unable to provide in recent years.
“This summer we have been hosting the Children’s Summer Theater workshop that is working on the production Wizard of Oz,” said Barnett. “This is the third year for this, but this year we are trying to get it done as a community. We have talented people here who have done the costumes, sets, and more.”
For Prince and her family, the summer theater workshop was a great way to quickly connect with their community.
“Moving to a smaller town, it was nice for the kids to have an outlet for the arts, and both have gotten involved in the theater,” said Prince. “My oldest is in the sound booth and lighting, and my youngest is Toto. He’s gotten to use his own creativity to bring that character to life.”
The Cultural Center now acts as an anchor of vibrant activity for the people of Eads. In fact, the town also added a new park, coffee shop, senior center, fitness center, offices, hardware store and salons. Main street has become a nexus for learning, socializing and culture; has increased community engagement; and strengthened the connection between the residents and businesses in Eads.
When a town comes together to identify solutions to their local problems, the positive ripple effect is endless. In this case, it started because a group of teenagers saw potential and proposed a new vision for what Eads could be, and the community rallied behind them to make it happen.
That’s the spirit of Boettcher.
