Kiggins Theatre
1011 Main Street,
Vancouver,
WA
98660
1011 Main Street,
Vancouver,
WA
98660
5 people
favorited this theater
Located in downtown Vancouver, the Kiggins Theatre was named for and financed by local mayor J.P. Kiggins. It opened in 1936.
The theater’s design is austere, yet elegant. Noteworthy features include Art Deco patterns on both interior and exterior walls which are rendered in fireproof concrete and still-functioning custom light fixtures placed throughout the building.
The neon Kiggins sign is original, but the marquee was updated in the 1950’s.
The Kiggins Theatre was closed on May 31, 2010, with a triple feature programme;“Alice In Wonderland”, “The Bounty Hunter” and “The Loser”. After some renovations, the Kiggins Theatre was reopened in 2011.
Contributed by
Andrew J. Gregg
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 28 comments)
Any plans for an Art group to save it,Rawr.
An article about the theatre’s closing with a marquee shot: View link
Thats a shame,what a nice marquee and vertical.
The current owner (who seems a bit reluctant to be in the theater business) expects have this theatre operating again by August, 2011: View link.
Will they still be running 35mm film projectors?
The theater reopened mid-August 2011 (!) along with helping to host this year’s Columbia Gorge International Film Festival. Check out Kiggins Facebook page if you want to see photos of the remodel in progress. They also have an on-going program of events. Looks like a great community based effort.
Delighted to report the The New Kiggins Theatre has been lovigly restored to its genuine 1936 condition. From paint colors to new neon in the marquee, the building’s rennovation was executed by a number of professionals as well as a cadre of skillful volunteers. 35mm classics and digital premiers are featured. In addition, the original smoking lounge has been tricked out to serve food, beer, and wine. The early reception has been wonderful, and downtown Vancouver is coming alive!
Helping with the early part of renovations was a blast… It has turned out beautiful. Thanks Bill for fix'n her up.
An article by Helen Kent with a few photos of the Kiggins Theatre was published in Boxoffice of November 11, 1936 (additional photo on the subsequent page.) In addition, a view of the theater’s stairwell appeared as the frontispiece of that issue’s Modern Theatre section.
A 2011 photo can be seen here.