[Wattleigh]

Rosenberg

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/nei...d-18670425.php

Developer gifts historic Cole Theater in Rosenberg to Fort Bend County

By Juhi Varma
Feb 20, 2024

Cole Theater in historic downtown Rosenberg was donated to Fort Bend County by its owner Bill Butler, a longtime Fort Bend resident and property developer.

“We are honored to receive such a generous gift, and my office looks forward to the challenging work of preserving a historic site while updating it into something that will continue attracting visitors and artists,” said Commissioner Dexter McCoy as the donation was accepted by the county formally at the latest Commissioners’ Court meeting.

The iconic cinema hall, with its single screen and 450 seats, served as the community’s focal point for 63 years.

Originally named Liberty Theater, the venue opened its doors in 1919 playing silent films.

It also hosted concerts and talent shows — there is an orchestra pit beneath the stage.

After its final movie screening in 1982, Cole Theater became a rental venue, changing ownership multiple times until Butler acquired it in 2005.

Last November, voters approved the county’s $153 million parks bond of which $1 million was allocated to Cole Theater. The money will be used for waterproofing, decontamination and conducting an assessment study.