Liberty Theater
111 E. Fifth Street,
Ellensburg,
WA
98926
111 E. Fifth Street,
Ellensburg,
WA
98926
1 person
favorited this theater
This cinema is completely done in a blocky streamline style, and looks like the bridge of an ocean liner. The vertical marquee is a tall rectangle with a cap, set on one corner of the buiding. The service ladders on either side only enhance the nautical impression.
At some point, probably when the theater was triplexed, a large circular window on one side was filled in. The theater is now painted in blah putty colors, which Washingtonians seem to be in love with.
The Libery Theater was closed in August 2009, and in 2010 was converted into a church.
Contributed by
Seth Gaines
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
And here is a September 2008 photo.
Boxoffice Magazine of September 18, 1937, carried an article about the recent opening of the Liberty Theatre in Ellensburg. The owner of the theater was Frederick Mercy. The house had 750 seats on opening, and was designed by Seattle architect Bjerne Moe, designer of many theaters in the Pacific Northwest.
1982 Photo
1984 Photo
1985 Photo
1985 Photo
This is a 1980 photo.
As of August, 2009, the Liberty went dark. Hallett Theatres sold it to the local Calvary Baptist Church. The church’s management has made it known that they are aware of the building’s architectural value. They intend to remove the triplex walls and return to a single auditorium layout. They claim that the ‘Liberty’ sign will remain on the exterior.
Local newspaper reports stated the Liberty was built in 1937, as mentioned above.
This ending of an era is certainly a blow, but at least the building will not go derelict or face demolition.
From 1937 a photo postcard view of the Liberty Theater in Ellensburg.
I like the 1980 picture the best,Really nice shot.April 1 1970 the theatre urged moviegoers to see “BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID” on the weekday nights to avoid the long lines.One showing each night at 7:30 pm.Every hear of ADDING shows!!
The Calvary Baptist Church has now opened for business.
I recently did a walk-through and was impressed at the new layout. Since so much had previously been trashed, what remained was mostly the proscenium columns and the stage itself. The balcony remains as a closed off unit, but a partial restoration is better than none at all.
The Vogue Theatre in nearby Cle Elum is currently undergoing rebirth from the wall studs on up. The Liberty and the Vogue shared entrance door designs for years.
An article about the conversion to a church: View link
Here’s a recent photo:
http://www.thewholeearthisfilledwithhisglory.com/theaters/135a.html