Ruby Theater

Chelan, WA

135 E. Woodin Avenue

, Chelan, WA 98816 United States

(map)

Status:	Open
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Movies
Seats:	350
Chain:	Independent

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Unknown

The Ruby Theater opened July 1, 1914 as a vaudeville and silent movie theater. Original seating in the Ruby was 225 on the first floor and 125 in the balcony. In 1930 the Ruby upgraded to "talking pictures".

In 1947, a new "tube" Mirrophonic sound system was added, along with the Motiographic AA Projector. In 1974, the arch above the stage was widened by two feet, to adjust to the new cinema size. The aisles were also widened and lit.

In the 1980's a thrust stage was added, and in 1989, the seats were reupholstered. In 1993, the owners purchased auditorium lights that had come from the Orpheum Theater in Portland, which was torn down in the 70's. A new sound system replaced the 1947 "tube" system in April 1999.

The present owners, Jean Payne Vick and Larry Hibbard, purchased the Ruby Theater in April of 1989, when the community was at risk of losing its only movie theater. Except for a two-year closure from 1972 to 1974 the Ruby Theater has been continuously running as a movie theater since it opened in 1914.

Contributed by Lost Memory

YOUR COMMENTS

Here is a link for the web site for the Ruby Theatre.
http://www.rubytheatre.com/

posted by Chuck1231 on Jan 22, 2005 at 8:01am

Nice interior & exterior photos:
http://www.pstos.org/instruments/wa/chelan/ruby.htm

posted by TC on May 17, 2005 at 5:57am

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991

Ruby Theater (added 1991 - Building - #91001495)
135 E. Woodin Ave., Chelan
Historic Significance: Event
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 12, 2007 at 4:04pm

Here is an ad on eBay for a July 1960 schedule of films at the Ruby:
http://tinyurl.com/3bywdk

posted by ken mc on Jan 27, 2007 at 2:29pm

This website has three photos of the Ruby Theater. Click each photo to expand it.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 18, 2007 at 4:48pm

This is a great shot of the Ruby Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 5, 2007 at 12:53pm

Does anyone know what became of the American Photoplayer organ that was originally in this theatre? It was still in-place to the mid 1970s.

posted by Tom DeLay on Dec 1, 2007 at 2:01pm

This photoplayer is mentioned on the history page of their website, though talked about in past tense as though it is no longer there.

I would imagine it was bought by a collector in the pacific northwest, since a simple glance through, for example, the AMICA directory seems to reveal a larger percentage of photoplayers in Oregon than in the other states in general. [however, the Ruby theatre is in Washington so perhaps this is a bad example].

I guess one of us should simply email the people at the Ruby Theatre and just ask what became of it.

posted by andrewb on Mar 11, 2008 at 3:36am

Here is a 2008 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 30, 2008 at 11:53am

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