H.R. No. 813
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Many generations of Eagle Pass residents visited the
beautiful Aztec Theater during its long history; and
WHEREAS, Constructed in 1915 by Hungarian immigrant Sam
Schwartz, the Aztec is considered the first documented theater in
the Mayan Revival style, which embraced pre-Columbian decorative
themes; it was designed by architect Leonard F. Seed, who also
served as contractor; and
WHEREAS, The theater initially offered silent movies and
vaudeville acts, charging ten cents for adults and five for
children; in 1929, the Aztec was one of the first venues in the
border region to screen The Jazz Singer, a milestone production
featuring recorded dialogue; and
WHEREAS, Sam Schwartz ranked as the oldest independent
theater owner in Texas at the time of his death in 1969; the Aztec
continued to operate under the management of his son, Arnold I.
Schwartz, and his son-in-law, Lloyd T. Munter, until 1982;
subsequent generations of the family utilized the space for a law
office and for periodic events; and
WHEREAS, An example of a distinctive architectural era, the
Aztec Theater has captured the imagination of innumerable Texans,
and it holds a host of memories for local cinephiles and the many
residents who have attended programs in this notable building; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the historic Aztec Theater in Eagle
Pass for its long-standing contribution to that city's cultural
heritage.
Nevárez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 813 was adopted by the House on March
12, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House