Washoe Theater

For a 1979 photograph of the Washoe's stunning Art Deco auditorium, see this link. From the Library of Congress.

One of the most spectacular, intact art-deco theaters left. Worth a special visit to Anaconda, MT! I go every year. Talk about a time warp! When you enter this palace, you won't believe how original the whole place is. Frosted glass, murals, wall sconces, etc. See it!

Here is a small photo of the Washoe Theater in Montana.

Here are some links:
http://tinyurl.com/ooxuz
http://tinyurl.com/pu7q8

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982

Washoe Theater ** (added 1982 - Building - #82003162)
305 Main St., Anaconda
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Forseen,Gus, Priteca,B. Marcus
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/365gjn

There was another old theater on Main Street in the 1950s. No clue as to the identity, though. It may have been a playhouse:
http://tinyurl.com/2vhf4y

How do you know there was another old theater in Washoe if you don't know its name? Is the other theater visible in the photo that you linked to?

I should have said "There was another old theater on the right side of the street, that said 'theatre' on the side of the building". My mistake.

The two theatres listed for Anaconda in the 1951 Film Daily Yearbook are the Washoe (seating 988) and the Bluebird (seating 668). The only address given for the Bluebird is "Park" (I assume that means Park Avenue).

In the 1940s there was also a Highland Theater listed for Anaconda. I'm not sure when the Highland closed.

It looks like the theater in the photo starts with an I. Then again, it could be an old ad for a theater in a different location.

This link has some history of the Washoe Theater. Opening date given for the Washoe Theater is September 24, 1936.

I just noticed that in the description above, the build date is given as 1936. The link that I posted in the comment above this one claims that the Washoe Theater was actually built in 1931. "The depression postponed the opening of the new theater until this fall" (1936).

The Washoe was built in the Nouveau/Deco style, part Art Nouveau, part Art Deco influence, The Center theatre was where the credit union now stands on park and the Bluebird was down a block on part past St. Paul's church! - the Washoe was the 3rd theatre on the location where it is at, before that was the Sundial and before that was the Margaret Theatre. The highland theatre I believe is across from 4 star video, it is now a senior citizens center, still has the original seats (built on a slope!)....
The Washoe has the curtains from the Bluebird stored upstairs, if it isn't the exact original in the theatre, it's simply been repaired!

The projection booth of the Washoe is equipped with it's original three Super Simplex projectors. One of them is still sporting a carbon arc lamphouse and this machine is regularly used to run the previews on. The other machines share duty from the platter system. An Ultra Stereo processor and QSC power amps drive the vintage Altec speakers behind the screen.

Here is the Washoe Theater at night.

This is a 2009 photo.

1983 photo of the Washoe Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c26%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=29343

1983 interior photo of the Washoe Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c26%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=2&ProductID=29351

1983 another interior photo of the Washoe Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c26%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=2&ProductID=29352

Here is a photo from 1986.

1986 Photo