The Cox Capitol Theatre is located in downtown Macon, Georgia

Macon, Georgia

Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...

 on 368 Second Street. The Cox Capitol Theatre serves as a movie theatre and live entertainment venue.

History

Commercial Savings and Loan was the first building located at 368 Second Street. It was built in 1897, but closed shortly after. In the year 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. However, after 58 years, the Cox Theatre closed in 1975.

The theatre today

A man named Tony Long had a vision for downtown Macon, Georgia

Macon, Georgia

Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central 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 now 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 Cox Theatre also serves stone oven-cooked pizza from their store-front, Second Street Pizza Eatery.

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 also serves as a private rental space for events.

Events include:

• Receptions
• Parties
• Fundraisers

Future plans

According to the Cox Capitol Theatre website, members of the Board of Directors plan to make more renovations to the Theatre.

-Some future plans include:

• A multi-use facility unconstrained by fixed seating
• Restaurant and AV facilities for all public and private functions
• Non-smoking, climate controlled atmosphere with seating for over 250 people
• Digital projection and sound technologies for movies and presentations

The Cox Capitol Theatre is also planning to host performing arts programs for the Bibb County School System to provide a venue for young artists.

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 1933: Tickets sold at the Capitol cost 25 cents for matinees and 30 cents for evening movies.
• October 1933: “Last Round Up” is shown on the big screen.
• May 1946: The Capitol gets new renovations which include air conditioning
  Air conditioning
  An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
  
   as well as candy and popcorn bars.
• April 2006: Cox Communications
  Cox Communications
  Cox Communications is a privately owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises providing digital cable television, telecommunications and wireless services in the United States...
  
  donated $300,000 to sponsor a new lighted theatre marquee that replicates the one that was on the building when it first opened in 1916.