The Collbran Auditorium was built in 1907, a stage and bathrooms were added in 1909. The unique false-front, arch-top building served, then as it does now, as a venue for Plateau Valley community celebrations; dances, meetings, banquets, speeches, both formal and informal and in later years for movies, craft fairs, receptions and roller skating. Today, there is an effort to restore/renovate/modern
ize the historic structure to become a venue for, among other uses, the celebration of the history of the Western Heritage which is embodied in the building and the original intent of its proprietor and builder Dr. William Zinke, one of Plateau Valley’s early settlers, an entreprenuer and physician (“If you can survive the treatment he can cure most anything that ails you”), and an untiring booster for Plateau Valley. The Show Hall; a center for what’s happening in the Valley. The vision and a purpose for renovation of this historic building beyond the intrinsic value and the history of the Show Hall would be to provide space to:
House historic artifacts of an early era of
Western Cultural life and lifestyle. Host and maintain shows of period artifacts and
photographs. Host events related to western heritage. Host cowboy poetry gatherings. Host western music concerts. Provide display space for western art. Promote western art and host western art shows. Promote the cultural aspects of the western
heritage and lifestyle. Provide for the presentation of historic and contemporary western theme motion pictures. Produce books, newsletters, photographic
records and video and digital content related to western heritage. Host discussions of western theme books,
publications and philosophy. As well as community celebrations, dances, meetings
banquets, craft fairs, etcetera.
