Hi-Way Theater
1144 Victorian Avenue,
Sparks,
NV
89431
1144 Victorian Avenue,
Sparks,
NV
89431
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This information comes from the Reno Gazette-Journal:
On April 2, 1943, a new theater debuted at 1144 B St. The Hi-Way Theater was located in the previous Hi-Way Garage on the corner of 12th and B streets. The first movie played there was Gentleman Jim starring Errol Flynn and Alexis Smith, a beauty in her day. This theater was owned by John and Marge Bissett.
This March 1947 article from the Nevada State Journal mentions the Hi-Way:
Slated to open Friday, March 14, is the new Sparks Theater which has been under construction for the past several months. Built to seat 773 spectators, it is one of the most modern in theater design in the state. The 164 loge seats occupy the last seven seat rows instead of being placed in a balcony. An exaggerated slope to the floor will offer better vision to the theater goers and the cement floor will reduce fire hazard. Coated with a special acoustical plaster which prevents sound reverberation, the auditorium part of the theater is barrel shaped and posseses 12 ultra-violet ray germicide lights. The new building is fire-proof and is equipped with an air conditioning system which constantly changes and filters the air.
The old Hiway Theater, under lease to the T. and D. Enterprises, may run on a part time basis, showing Spanish movies and others on the weekends, the management announced.
The Hi-Way is not listed in 1941 or 1943, so it must have opened in 1944/45. In 1950 F.D.Y. is has 400 seats.
Today B Street is known as Victorian Avenue.
A 1947 view of B Street in Sparks can be seen here, with the sign for the Hi-Way Theater visible on the left.