Rig Theater, Wink, Texas
historic place
The Rig Theater in Wink, Winkler County, Texas, was built in 1928 by Griffith Amusement Company. It was the first permanent masonry structure in downtown Wink, reflecting the rapid growth of the oil boom era. The theater's name, "Rig," directly acknowledged the region's vital oil industry. It served as a significant community entertainment venue, showing first-run movies and hosting live musical acts. Famed musician Roy Orbison spent his childhood in Wink and performed here with his early bands, including the Wink Westerners. In 1999, graffiti by Orbison and friends from 1951 was found in the stairway to the balcony; this artifact is now preserved. The Rig Theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. It stands as a reminder of Wink's social and economic history.