sentences:  The Emporia Civic Auditorium's – as it was known from 1940 to 1973 – construction began to in December 1938.On May 6, 1940, the City of Emporia kicked off a five-day "Fiestaval" to celebrate its opening.In 1963, it was renamed to its current name, William L. White Auditorium, named after local newspaper owner, William Lindsay White, who was also the son of William Allen White.