Tarkio Theatre

dallasmovietheaters on May 12, 2016 at 2:06 pm

This theater was conceptualized as the Royal Theatre next door to the Commercial Hotel as early as 1913. When L.R. Taylor finally built the 465-seat facility, it opened March 1, 1916 as the Linwood Theatre. Earle S. Nesbitt took over the Linwood using big-city showman techniques in this small town. A subsequent operator, C.E. Munn, took over the theater and equipped it for sound.

L.C. Hensley bought the Linwood from Munn in 1930. He equipped the theatre with improved Photophone (sound on film) technology changed the theater’s name to the Tarkio Theatre also in 1930. The Tarkio was remodeled in 1944 by Western Theatre giving it a total new streamline moderne exterior with glass blocks that it retained until fire/demolition. Its interior was also changed during the 1944 remodel and at least one more time later for its final period of operation.

JRayfield on May 9, 2016 at 12:26 am

It may have been closed in the mid 1950’s (I don’t know because I wasn’t there at that time), but it was definitely open in the mid to late 1960’s. My parents took to see movies at this theater during this time period. I remember seeing The Odd Couple at this theater in 1968 (I was 8 years old). During this time period the theater was managed by a guy named Bill Springer. The theater caught fire and was severely damaged sometime in the 1970’s, I think, but I don’t remember the exact year. What was left was demolished.