109 N MAIN ST 

The Farr Best Theater building’s early occupants are mostly unknown. Prior to 1917, the only records found, show the building to be occupied by J. H. Page Dry Goods. 

In September of 1917, Milton May Farr, known as M. M., opened Farr Best Theater in downtown Mansfield. He rented the building from Dr. William McKnight. At that time, the name, Farr Best Theater, was chosen in a city-wide contest won by Ms. Dola Kerr. A popcorn machine was installed in 1921 and new theater seating in 1928. The theater doubled in size in 1936 when M.M. purchased 
the theater, along with an adjacent building, from Dr. McKnight. The Farr Family ran the theater from 1917 until 1975 with the death of Roy Farr. 

Ms. Charlotte Martin then opened the “Old Bijou Theater”. The Old Bijou was in business until 1978. In 1980, Saint John’s Lutheran Church purchased the building. Saint John’s maintained ownership until their new church was built in 1988. The new occupant in 1988 was the Main Street Theater. The theater group provided the community with live theater. 

The name Farr Best Theater was returned to the building in 1996 with help of Charlie Milton Farr, M. M.’s son. Main Street Theater remained in the building until 2007. In 2008, a new venue opened in the theater producing Saturday Night Music Showcase and Stars Music Showcase, for children under seventeen. The theater also hosts shows like the Farr Best Opry providing performances by rising local talent in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The building is a registered Mansfield Historic Landmark.