Panida Theater
300 N. First Avenue,
Sandpoint,
ID
83864
300 N. First Avenue,
Sandpoint,
ID
83864
2 people
favorited this theater
The Panida, opened in 1927, derives its name from “the PANhandle of IDAho”. Except for early vaudeville, it showed movies until the mid 80s when it fell into a state of disrepair.
In 1985, through fund raising and citizen involvement, it began its trip back from the brink.
Today, its program lists a combination of art movies, pop and classical concerts, and live theater. The Friends of the Panida, in this community of 6,000 and county of 32,000, provide for the operation of the theater.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Here is a photo of the Panida Theater.
This is another photo of the Panida Theater.
Here is another photo of the Panida Theater.
I recall the “magic” of the local theater house. My experience was in my birh place, Sandpoint, Id. Our one and only movie and theater house was the Panida Theater. I vividly recall Floyd Grey used the theater to have “Farmer Grey” skits before or during intermission of movies. Mr Grey at the time was Mayor of Sandpoint. I recall one time Mr Grey allowed the younger folk to view a movie from “behind” the movie screen. We kids “loved” the special treatment. I believe it was during a time when Mayor Grey was sponsoring a proposal for economic development of Sandpoint… introducing a new “ski resort” for the area. Needless to say, today the Schweitzer Ski Resort became a “huge” economic development success that changed Sandpoint forever. I believe Mr Grey and his Panida Theater had a profound impact in that success story. I recall in the early 60s, I worked in the Panida Theater. Joe Breeden was manager at the time. I helped to clean the theater and also stoked and kept a watchful eye on the coal burning furnace. One winter, the snow was wet and very heavy. The ceiling developed a leak and a big section of ceiling fell during a movie. Thankfully no one was sitting in the area where it fell. Floyd Grey was an amazing individual. He certainly made a mark in my heart on several occasions. I fondly remember looking forward to going to the movies to see and holding hands with my then grade school sweetheart. The “magical†moments that building holds in my heart. (smiling) Mr Grey owned and operated the “drive-in†theater north of town which also holds many wonderful memories.
This is a more recent photo of the Panida Theater.
Here is another view:
http://tinyurl.com/2v4jzp
Here is a 2008 photo.
1983 Photo
1984 Photo
1985 Photo
An auditorium photo and mentions of the Panida Theatre can be found in this article from yesterday’s magazine section of The New York Times: View link
2007 photo of the Panida Theatre courtesy chathamshooter.
View link