On Friday, November 27, 1925 – the day after Thanksgiving – all of Brenham was abuzz about the grand opening of the Simon Theatre. The front page of the Brenham Daily Banner-Press announced, “Brenham’s Magnificent New Place of Amusement.”
It was the age of vaudeville and new-fangled motion pictures. Indeed, it was the height of Hollywood’s Golden Era, and the lively Roaring 20s when entertainment was America’s favorite pastime.
The Simon was the largest and most elegant theater in Texas, outside the biggest cities. Standing in majestic beauty, it was Brenham’s most handsome building and a new landmark for the bustling town.
It was a superb monument to James H. Simon, its creator, who passed away just three months before the grand opening.
Mr. Alfred Finn, Houston’s most prominent architect, was on hand for the festivities, since he had designed the new theater and supervised its construction.
When the Simon opened, the owners declared that the only complaint they heard was that it “is too fine and too good for Brenham.”
They took the stand that “nothing is too good for Brenham, and our successful operations of the Simon will prove we are right.”
100 years later, they are still proven to be right! The Simon endured wartimes, economic depressions, constantly-changing entertainment trends and eventual decline. Today, it is again Brenham’s jewel of entertainment and community events.
The Simon was not compromised during America’s mid-twentieth century shift to suburbs and home TVs. While many downtown districts and theaters virtually disappeared, the Simon proudly delivered what the public wanted – the latest and biggest Hollywood movies.
It wasn’t until the late 1970s that the Simon began to decline, due to Brenham’s fading downtown district and new neighborhood cinemas. The popularity of American downtown theaters had been over for 20 years, yet the Simon had survived long after.
The Simon Theatre finally showed its last movie, Night of the Living Dead, on October 31, 1985, and the theatre went dark. But the rest of the building remained open for another 14 years with the House of Chen Restaurant and a residential space upstairs.
By 1999 the Simon had completely shut down, and the vacant building continued to decline. Many people passing the prominent marquee on Main Street had no awareness of the building’s past glory. There was talk of demolition.
This magnificent landmark avoided the wrecking ball because of a small group of community leaders. Tom Bullock, Sr. joined with Hal Moorman, John Barnhill and Dr. Boy Hasskarl, launching a campaign to Save Our Simon.
In 2003, these men had formed a non-profit organization and bought the historic property. But they needed community support to restore the previous magic of the Simon Theatre.
The community got behind the project. Over the next 20 years, about 200 companies and individuals contributed to the renovation.
The old Simon Theatre was christened “The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre” in honor of John and Jane Barnhill, the most substantial benefactors.
In 2025 the old beauty is celebrated for her 100th birthday. Festivities began with “A Century of Simon” history exhibit and a concert event reminiscent of the Simon’s early vaudeville years. The celebration will continue throughout the year through musical performances of past eras.
The Simon has brought back to Downtown Brenham a variety of performing artists. Locals and tourists eagerly attend a busy lineup of stage shows, while enjoying the impressive old building.
Between live shows the building is booked with meetings, conferences, weddings, recitals and movie events.
Longtime residents marvel at the splendor that has emerged from the decayed old ruin. And former skeptics now thank the renovation team for advocating “one of the nicest attractions Brenham has ever had.”
