January 8, 1924
The Pawhuska Daily Journal
Microfilm Roll: MN00341
On this day in Osage country, an advertisement ran in The Pawhuska Daily Journal for the Constantine Theater. Event advertisements for the Constantine Theater were a common occurrence during the early 20th century. The theater itself, however, remains to be very unique.
Originally built as an Osage hotel, the Pawhuska House was constructed during the late 19th century oil boom of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Around 1911, a Greek man by the name of Charles Constantine bought the building and converted it into the Constantine Theater. During its three year transformation the original structure was greatly expanded. According to the building’s National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination form:
The original structure became the lobby, restrooms, ticket and concession counters on the first floor and the projection room on the second floor…a large theater stage, and prop fly were added along with dressing rooms and offices. The addition was in red brick with a bowstring roof.
The theater officially opened in 1914 as a “grand performance hall decorated in Greek Revival Style, with seating for 715 and a 25-by-50 foot stage” (Erwin). Throughout the 1910s and 1920s the theater housed a wide array of performances including circus acts, opera productions, and even boxing matches.
Unfortunately, Constantine lost control of his theater in the late 1920s. Although the building remained to be used as a theater, the name was changed to the Ki-he-Kah Theater by its new owner. The theater remained open until it again went under in 1970. However, before ceding to demolition in the late 1980s, a group of locals saved the theater and restored it once again as the Constantine Center. Today the theater is used for local events and performances.
Although the theater’s history itself is quite interesting, its history of paranormal activity makes it even more unique. As early as the beginning of the 20th century, people have reported several incidents of what they believed were caused by paranormal activity. In 1906, a man reportedly saw the ghost of a woman standing on the balcony. Just a few years later, right outside the doors of the hotel, prior to becoming a theater, a man by the name of Dan Parker was murdered by gunshot. Since then there have been several reports of what appear to be gunshot sounds being heard on recorded audio. Even the Center’s historian, Garrett Hartness, has encountered paranormal activity first-hand, hearing doors slam when alone in the theater (Gleason).
Morgan M. Guzman
Advertisement for Constantine Theater. The Pawhuska Daily Journal. Jan. 8, 1924, p. 5. Microfilm roll number MN00341. Sequoyah National Research Center, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Stage of the Constantine Theater, Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Further Reading
Erwin, Mike. “Singing Spirit Haunts Constantine.” Pawhuska Journal-Capital. http://www.pawhuskajournalcapital.com/article/20150819/NEWS/308199871 Accessed March 9, 2018.
Gleason, Matt. “Things that go bump in Pawhuska.” Tulsa World. https://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/features/things-that-go-bump-in-pawhuska/article_fde0f6a3-6941-52bf-9cfb-e4ea00359e75.html Accessed March 9, 2018.
“National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form.” United States Department of the Interior National Park Service. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/c01579a6-fd2b-4a64-a32e-537148861629 Accessed March 9, 2018.
Source File(s)
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