Constructed 1916.

The Luna Theater was built in 1916, and opened as the Mission Theater. The building replaced an earlier mercantile building that stood on the corner and burned to the ground. The building is in a Mission Revival style with Art Deco fixtures that were added in the 1930s. The marquee with the neon winking moon face was also added in the 1930s. The 397 seat theater previously had a wood floor ballroom then a roller skating rink in basement. This was damaged and removed in the 1990s, when it flooded due to a ruptured waterline from roadwork. The building had deteriorated significantly by the early 1990s when the current owners began its restoration. They received the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Award in 2001 for their work towards the restoration of the theater. The Luna Theater was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

4 Main Street Clayton, NM 88415 | 575-374-2712

Image from Elmo Baca.

Local New Mexico MainStreet Program:
Clayton-Union County Economic Development Partnership
cucedp.org