Cox Capitol Theatre

History

Commercial Savings and Loan was the first building located at 382 Second Street. It was built in 1897, but closed shortly after. In 1900, Strong Shoe Company purchased the building and resided there for 15 years. According to the Macon Daily Telegraph, the Cox was converted into a movie theater in 1917 and was officially opened to the public." In 1917, The Cox Capitol Theatre became the first public venue to offer air conditioning. After 58 years, the Cox Theatre closed in 1975.

Today

A man named Tony Long had a vision for downtown Macon, Georgia. He led a group of people and launched a $1.2 million renovation to restore the Cox Theatre. According to Kap Stann's book called "Moon Georgia," the Cox Capitol Theatre reopened in 2006. The Cox Capitol Theatre is a movie house and live entertainment venue.

The Theatre serves as Macon's venue for:

Concerts

-From rock bands to first-class musical tours

Second-run movies

-Such as vintage and independent films

Film festivals

The Board of Directors

David Thompson (Chair) - Restoration, Finance, Fundraising Committees

Tony Long (Vice Chair) - Head of Restorations, Programming Committees

Mark Driver (Treasurer) - Finance, Fundraising Committees

Wesley Griffith (Secretary) - Programming, Marketing Committees

Gene Dunwody, Jr. - Architect, Fundraising Committees

Brad Evans - Programming, Marketing Committees

Duke Groover – Legal Counsel, Fundraising Committees

Larry L. Najera, Jr.- Marketing, Fundraising Committees

Brad Powell - Programming, Seat Sales, Fundraising Committees

Morris Purcel - Fundraising Committee

Teresa Roach – Marketing, Fundraising Committees

Terrell Sandefur – Marketing, Fundraising Committees

Rentals

The Cox Capitol Theatre serves as a rental space for events such as receptions, parties and fundraisers.

Timeline

August 1927: $8,000 permit issued for Capitol repairs

October 1930: due to the closing of the Rialto, the Capitol becomes the number one theatre in Macon for first-run movies.

May 1946: the Capitol gets renovations which include air conditioning and candy and popcorn bars.

April 2006: Cox Communications donated $300,000 to sponsor a lighted theatre marquee that replicates the one that was on the building when it first opened in 1916.