This, the second theatre to bear that name in Ranger, started life as the Majestic. It was purchased and renamed by the owner of the original Liberty. The Majestic, itself, was the second with that name, the original having been destroyed in a massive fire which ravaged a large part of downtown Ranger. Although I did not find a picture of the original Majestic, I did find one of the original Liberty which was located on South Rusk next to the Masonic Hall the image of which I’ve uploaded.
The later Liberty had considerable seating, loge stalls and a balcony.
The historical society deeded the property to Chad Cunningham who envisioned a bar and grill venue with Country Western entertainment and Saturday afternoon movies for the children. The theatre had been damaged by fire and there had been a boiler explosion at the attached building which housed a dry cleaners and apartments. The two had been derelict for years.
Renovations began in December 2015 for a Spring 2016 opening. It was also necessary to have local ordinances changed to permit the selling of alcohol at a restaurant.
I have uploaded a before picture just as the renovation was starting and the final realization of the facade of the Lone Star Theatre Bar. The overhead “Theatre” sign is a replica of the one that used to exist.
I’ve also included an image of original painted signage on the side of the building.
Rapp opened the Ranger subsequent to operating the Tower in Ranger. It had a Western Town theme that was displayed under the screen. I have uploaded a photo of that. The area for the theatre was reportedly carved out of the side of Ranger Hill which was east of Ranger proper.
At the time it was built it was intended as a venue for shows and movies. The stage was 22 feet by 40 feet. As a movie theatre it was billed as the “House of Hits”.
This is now an event site called City Farm Chehalis. When they renovated the building in 2006 they found Italian Style frescos under the walls and the original chandelier.
According to local history and newspaper articles the Gem was originally to be called the Magnolia. It opened on June 14, 1928 with a seating capacity of 425.
On the afternoon of December 6, 1929 the empty theatre was ravaged by a fire of unknown origin which caused interior damage.
On Jan 3, 1930 the renovated and redecorated Gem reopened with the addition of 40 loge seats, upgraded sound proofing and a “talking pictures exclusively” policy.
The name was probably changed to Omak Theatre on the date in the introduction.
Larry and Mary Lassila bought the theatre on April 1, 1976 and changed the name to Omak Cinema.
In 2004 they also opened the Mirage Theatre across the street in the former Brownies Building.
I have looked at current photos of Cottage Avenue taken from the same Division Avenue vantage point. No signs of the three story building that housed the Royal. Doing some detective work on that.
Uploaded two photos. One shows the Royal on the immediate left foreground. The second is taken from Division Avenue (with a portion of the Vale in the left foreground) with the painted sign “Royal Theatre” on the right some ways down the block.
The owner tried to collect damages incurred due to closing for the pandemic from his insurance company but was denied by the courts. This may set a precedence for future suits.
They are still closed and the phone has been disconnected. Also, the shopping center has a new owner. Doesn’t look good.
I have uploaded three photos in which the Vale appears: one at a celebration of VJ Day where the marquee and a portion of the vertical appear; one in which the vertical is seen in the distance on the right; and the third showing the corner of the building and the Division Street sign.
I find it odd when looking at these old photos that this, which appears to be the main street in town, is called Cottage Avenue.
And JBottero if the current building at 101 is the former Vale it has been altered beyond recognition. The bank on Division has also been altered considerably but still is recognizable.
This was a segregated theatre with persons of color seated in a corner of the upper balcony reached through a separate entrance. This seated area was referred to by the now politically incorrect term “Crows Nest”.
Uploaded a photo by Val B of the rebranded facade. Disgusting. Looks like a burger joint. UA was noted for letting theatres deteriorate; AMC is noted for the sterile, non theatrical appearance of its properties.
The target date of a December 2020 opening has been delayed. The adjacent building, a former funeral parlor, must be demolished so there can be an annex for additional dressing rooms, office space and a loading dock. Estimate is now 46 million dollars for the renovation/restoration.
The Joy was erected around 1946 and was one of 40 operated by Joy’s Theatres, Inc. in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Georgia. It was an impressive brick building with a balcony which was entered by a side entrance for persons of color. Despite being listed in the National Registry of Historic places it was demolished in 1988 to become a parking lot. One source estimates that ½ of Vicksburg’s historic buildings have been demolished over time.
I could not find a date of closure but I did find a reference to a 1969 showing of McKenna’s Gold.
This, the second theatre to bear that name in Ranger, started life as the Majestic. It was purchased and renamed by the owner of the original Liberty. The Majestic, itself, was the second with that name, the original having been destroyed in a massive fire which ravaged a large part of downtown Ranger. Although I did not find a picture of the original Majestic, I did find one of the original Liberty which was located on South Rusk next to the Masonic Hall the image of which I’ve uploaded.
The later Liberty had considerable seating, loge stalls and a balcony.
The Tower was reimagined in the former Temple.
The historical society deeded the property to Chad Cunningham who envisioned a bar and grill venue with Country Western entertainment and Saturday afternoon movies for the children. The theatre had been damaged by fire and there had been a boiler explosion at the attached building which housed a dry cleaners and apartments. The two had been derelict for years.
Renovations began in December 2015 for a Spring 2016 opening. It was also necessary to have local ordinances changed to permit the selling of alcohol at a restaurant.
I have uploaded a before picture just as the renovation was starting and the final realization of the facade of the Lone Star Theatre Bar. The overhead “Theatre” sign is a replica of the one that used to exist.
I’ve also included an image of original painted signage on the side of the building.
Rapp opened the Ranger subsequent to operating the Tower in Ranger. It had a Western Town theme that was displayed under the screen. I have uploaded a photo of that. The area for the theatre was reportedly carved out of the side of Ranger Hill which was east of Ranger proper.
Rapp sold the Ranger when he retired in 1978.
Uploaded an historic downtown photo in which the Elks Hall and the Masonic Temple supposedly appear. Could find nothing more definite.
At the time it was built it was intended as a venue for shows and movies. The stage was 22 feet by 40 feet. As a movie theatre it was billed as the “House of Hits”.
This is now an event site called City Farm Chehalis. When they renovated the building in 2006 they found Italian Style frescos under the walls and the original chandelier.
Uploaded a photo of the Dream.
At some point during the pandemic the Mirage screened movies at a pop up drive in.
The theatre was opened by the then owners of the Omak Theatre across the street, Larry and Mary Lassila, in the former Brownies Building.
At some point the name went back to Omak Theatre.
According to local history and newspaper articles the Gem was originally to be called the Magnolia. It opened on June 14, 1928 with a seating capacity of 425.
On the afternoon of December 6, 1929 the empty theatre was ravaged by a fire of unknown origin which caused interior damage.
On Jan 3, 1930 the renovated and redecorated Gem reopened with the addition of 40 loge seats, upgraded sound proofing and a “talking pictures exclusively” policy.
The name was probably changed to Omak Theatre on the date in the introduction.
Larry and Mary Lassila bought the theatre on April 1, 1976 and changed the name to Omak Cinema.
In 2004 they also opened the Mirage Theatre across the street in the former Brownies Building.
I have looked at current photos of Cottage Avenue taken from the same Division Avenue vantage point. No signs of the three story building that housed the Royal. Doing some detective work on that.
Uploaded two photos. One shows the Royal on the immediate left foreground. The second is taken from Division Avenue (with a portion of the Vale in the left foreground) with the painted sign “Royal Theatre” on the right some ways down the block.
The owner tried to collect damages incurred due to closing for the pandemic from his insurance company but was denied by the courts. This may set a precedence for future suits.
They are still closed and the phone has been disconnected. Also, the shopping center has a new owner. Doesn’t look good.
In 2017 the remaining tenants were evicted and the mall closed. It remains boarded up awaiting redevelopment. The namesake Carousel was sold.
I have uploaded three photos in which the Vale appears: one at a celebration of VJ Day where the marquee and a portion of the vertical appear; one in which the vertical is seen in the distance on the right; and the third showing the corner of the building and the Division Street sign.
I find it odd when looking at these old photos that this, which appears to be the main street in town, is called Cottage Avenue.
And JBottero if the current building at 101 is the former Vale it has been altered beyond recognition. The bank on Division has also been altered considerably but still is recognizable.
Actual building dates to 1907.
Uploaded three photos of the theatre at varying times: as the vacant, for sale North Beach; as the North Beach Movie and as The Movie.
This was a segregated theatre with persons of color seated in a corner of the upper balcony reached through a separate entrance. This seated area was referred to by the now politically incorrect term “Crows Nest”.
Uploaded a photo by Val B of the rebranded facade. Disgusting. Looks like a burger joint. UA was noted for letting theatres deteriorate; AMC is noted for the sterile, non theatrical appearance of its properties.
The target date of a December 2020 opening has been delayed. The adjacent building, a former funeral parlor, must be demolished so there can be an annex for additional dressing rooms, office space and a loading dock. Estimate is now 46 million dollars for the renovation/restoration.
The Joy was erected around 1946 and was one of 40 operated by Joy’s Theatres, Inc. in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Georgia. It was an impressive brick building with a balcony which was entered by a side entrance for persons of color. Despite being listed in the National Registry of Historic places it was demolished in 1988 to become a parking lot. One source estimates that ½ of Vicksburg’s historic buildings have been demolished over time.
I could not find a date of closure but I did find a reference to a 1969 showing of McKenna’s Gold.
Reportedly there were no indoor toilets, only outhouses, until 1960. Must have been challenging at the heavily populated dances.
I found a reference that the Palace was only for persons of color.
The Strand was a segregated theatre with persons of color seated in the balcony after they had entered through a side door.