Fire damages century-old State Theatre in Washington

posted by CSWalczak on November 29, 2010 at 7:46 am

WASHINGTON, IA — An fire on November 17 allegedly started by a carelessly discarded cigarette caused smoke and water damage to the State Theatre The theater opened as the Grand Opera House in 1897, was renamed the State Theatre in 1930, and is said to be one of the oldest operating cinemas in the world.

During the various visits through town, many, many people were saddened to hear of this news, and how it changes their holiday plans for the season. In fact, by the following day, news of the event was on the lips of just about everyone. Quips included “Well, here come the building huggers,” as well as another group, presumably of that aforementioned sub-culture, who hoped the resurrected new theater, once repaired, might be ready for more adornment on the exterior. It is, in fact, especially considering the guilded age during which it was built, a rather stoic structure.

There is more at Examiner.com.

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Comments (1)

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on November 29, 2010 at 1:54 pm

Georgia Theatre in Athens faced the same fate ,but locals are saving that theatre.

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