Ross Ragland Theater
218 N. 7th Street,
Klamath Falls,
OR
97601
218 N. 7th Street,
Klamath Falls,
OR
97601
1 person
favorited this theater
This 790 seat community theatre (formerly the Esquire) was saved from the wrecking ball in 1989 by three kindly old men. The Ross Ragland Theatre was named after one of those great men in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Klamath Falls used to have several vaudeville houses.
Contributed by
Paul Warshauer
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Is this the only historic theater in Klamath Falls?
Was it ever called the “Tower”, or just the “Esquire”?
TC:
Is the photo after restoration?
Here is a photo of another theater called the Rainbow in Klamath Falls. The date is 1941:
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This 1944 photo shows a partially hidden marquee which appears to say “Street” as part of the thater’s name:
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My guess on that last name is either plain “TREE” or “THE TREE” or maybe “PINE TREE” as clearly there isn’t another letter after “TREE” (so it can’t be “STREET”), because there is a dividing band above the “T” and whatever letter (if it is one) or decorative object is above the “T”; and also because up and down the right side of the sign there are little triangular tree symbols, like Christmass trees. Klamath Falls was after all logging country.
You may be right on that, upon further review.
Here is a photo of the Esquire, circa 1948:
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Here is a 2007 photo of the Ross Ragland Theater.
1982 Photo
Was Ross Ragland any relation to Rags Ragland, the vaudeville and burlesque comic and clown of the 1930s and 1940s?
1982 photo of the Box Office and entrance of the Esquire Theatre.
View link
Here is a 1984 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ygwhk6v