Fountain Theatre

A unique blend of movies, past and present, often with an emphasis on life in the west - which could mean the new west, the old west, or anything in between- and ‘movies that missed us'- films that are notable but never had a lot of publicity- the CineMatinee series is designed to show area residents that film is a form of art as well as entertainment! At least one film a month for this series has a ‘ New Mexico Connection', drawing from the vast pool of movies made in the state or perhaps featuring a star/story from New Mexico talent.

Unless otherwise noted, screening time is 1.30 PM, and admission is $4 for everyone except film society members who are admitted for $1. The theatre is located one half block of the Mesilla Plaza. For more information, please call (575) 524-8287.

The Fountain Theatre is located at 2469 Calle de Guadalupe, one block south of the plaza.

Mesilla ("Little Tableland") is the best-known and most visited historical community in Southern New Mexico. Since its' beginning, around 1848, Mesilla has had a major influence on the economic, cultural, historical, and political life of the Mesilla Valley. From the Gadsden Purchase, to the Civil War, to the Butterfield Stage Coach Trail, to the trial of Billy the Kid, to being a lively social center in the 1880s--Mesilla has been a prominent part of the rich history of the Southwest.

Today, many of Mesilla's population of nearly 2,200 residents are direct descendents of Mesilla's early settlers. A visit to the Gadsden Museum, located two blocks east of the Fountain Theatre, recounts the history of local personality Albert Jennings Fountain, whose feud with Albert Fall of Teapot Dome infamy was legendary around southern New Mexico.

Built in 1905, the Fountain Theatre is New Mexico's oldest movie house, and in the early days, presented both cinema and vaudeville performances. In the 1930's it was not uncommon to see the entire Fountain Family, including children, on stage performing with the band. The theatre stands on the site of a Confederate army barracks, used during the Civil War, and is still owned by a member of the Fountain family. In addition to being the oldest theatre in New Mexico, the Fountain Theatre also bears the distinction of being the only continuously-operating movie theatre in the state.

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