Rex Theater
3809 Yakima Avenue,
Tacoma,
WA
98418
3809 Yakima Avenue,
Tacoma,
WA
98418
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The Rex Theater was opened in 1919 by Martin Steffen to replace his smaller theater of the same name that was just two doors down, at 3805 Yakima Avenue.
Seeking to give his patrons the best possible movie experience, Mr. Steffen had the theater built with a nursery where mothers could care for their small children and infants while still being able to view the screen.
The Rex Theater closed in 1958.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
Hello lostmemory….What a classic the Rex is or (was?) The picture on the link is a wonderful black and white. I see it is listed as closed, but not demolished, do you know if it is still standing? I was in Tacoma in 2003 and unfortunately missed it.
The information on the Rex theater came from the Tacoma library, Don. I just researched this theater again and found some additional info. The Rex did become a Church in 1958 called the Tacoma Calvary Temple. What the library omitted was, the Rex became a movie theater again around 1980. Only this time it was a porno theater. The owner was charged with violating state obscenity laws. The article doesn’t say what the outcome of the case was. A current property search does show another Church called the Restoration Christian Ministries is located there today.
Here are two photos. The first is the Rex theater in the 1930’s:
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This photo is dated 2001 and is a photo of the Church:
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This building is actually for sale at $700,000. There has been some structural changes, but it can be put back in its original state.
If interested call Rob at 253-691-7497.
There is a group fighting to have the Rex Theatre declared a landmark and then restored as a theatre. For more information, please go to www.myspace.com/therextheatre .
Thank you
There is a group fighting to have the Rex Theatre declared a landmark and then restored as a theatre. For more information, please go to www.myspace.com/therextheatre .
Thank you
I’m sorry, the url should be www.myspace.com/restoretherex . My Apologies.
Very good uncredited photograph of the REX taken around 1937.
www.flickr.com/photos/lastpictureshow/357293201
I used to live a handful of blocks from this place, in the mid-90s to the early-00s (I was born in ‘93). I remember my mom and I driving past there when I was really small and her pointing at the Rex and saying, “See that? It used to be a theatre.” I have had the ability to recognize former theatres ever since…
>..<
1981 photo of the Rex/Playtime courtesy PSTOS
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