Vanishing Spaces

Too vivid for black and white, the Orpheum Theatre originated as the Cook Theatre in 1921. Still intact, its colorful terra cotta provides an excellent example of an early twentieth century vaudeville theater. The Spanish Baroque Revival architecture is lavishly ornamented with gargoyles, Solomonic columns, and portal windows. The backstage remains unchanged from early days, still housing the original backdrop curtain, the orchestra pit, and the actors’ dressing rooms.

Click below for a gallery of photos taken in 2015 and 2026.

Click below for a gallery of backstage photos.

The theater was built in 1921 by L. H. D. Cook and designed by Leon B. Senter. Senter came to Okmulgee as a branch manager for the firm of Smith, Rea, Lovitt and Senter from Kansas City, Missouri, in 1915. He continued to work with Smith after he moved to Tulsa and designed the Philcade Building in 1930 for Waite Phillips. Senter was the first architect to be licensed in Oklahoma.

The historic photos (courtesy Gateway to Oklahoma History) in the gallery below are labeled as “before remodel.” The exteriors were shot in 1936 and 1941, as dated by the movies showing at that time.

As part of the application for the Okmulgee Downtown Historic District, the Orpheum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1992, #92001693): “Cook/Orpheum Theater. 210 W. 7th. Built 1921. The Cook/Orpheum Theater is an excellent example of the Spanish Baroque Revival style of architecture. The entire front facade of the building is faced in cream terra cotta. The upper level of the theater has an elaborate entablature featuring diamond-pane terra cotta work, Solomonic columns, portal windows, a low-relief frieze, and a stepped parapet with a flamboyant cartouche. ‘Cook Theater” is centered in the entablature. Directly above the marquis is a band of five windows recessed within arched surrounds with fluted columns with composite capitals. Above the capitals is an intricate, low-relief frieze. A cornice of swag and drop is also incorporated into the band of windows. Interior features include a polychromatic terra cotta lobby with Solomonic columns, portal windows, and gargoyles (comical/dramatic faces). The building retains a high degree of architectural integrity and appears to be individually eligible for listing in the National Register.”