Strand Theatre
106 W. Washington Street,
Phoenix,
AZ
85003
106 W. Washington Street,
Phoenix,
AZ
85003
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: ABC Theatres, Paramount Pictures Inc.
Architects: Charles E. Garstang, Alfred W. Rea
Firms: Rea & Garstang
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The Strand Theatre on West Washington Street near Second Avenue in downtown Phoenix, opened December 23, 1918. It was designed by Los Angeles based architects Alfred W. Rea & Charles E. Garstang. In the 1920’s, it was part of the Harry Nace circuit, and later was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. and still later, ABC Theatres of Arizona.
The Strand Theatre closed in 1964 and was later razed.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
The Strand was located at 106 West Washington Street. It specialized in cowboy movies during the 40’s and early 50’s. After that it continued to run ‘B’ movies. It had a slightly Art Deco design above the marquee. Inside, there was a strange seating arrangement, a one story theater with the balcony on the same floor. You would walk in down the middle to the floor seats. About one third of the way in, there were steps on both sides that took you to a raised area. Mothers would never let their girls go to the Strand; the only ‘proper’ theaters were the Fox, Vista, Paramount (Orpheum) and Palms.
In 1920 a model C, Robert MOrton pipe organ was installed. It was subsequently moved to the Yeager theatre in Watts, CA in 1925.Don Story
Does anyone remember Donald Kirkman who worked at the Strand in the early 1950s?
Actually, his name was KENNETH KIRKMAN (sometimes spelled KENNETH KIRKHAM). Would appreciate hearing from anyone who knew him. Thanks.
Donald Kirkman worked there too, he was Kenneth’s son. He went on to go into banking. He’s now retired and resides in Tempe. He’s my grandpa. Kenneth, my great-grandfather also owned 2 theaters in Hays, Kansas. One was named Fox Theatre.
December 22nd, 1918 grand opening ad in photo section. It opened on the 23rd.
The timing and description of this project noted in the August 7, 1918 issue of Building and Engineering News makes it a very good candidate to have been the Strand: “Contract Awarded. THEATRE Cost, 25,000 PHOENIX, Arizona. Washington St. Two-story Class ‘B’ moving picture theatre. Owner — A. C. Hubbard, Redlands. Cal. Architects— Alfred W. Rea and C. E. Garstang, 720 Black Bldg., Los Angeles. Contractor— A. E. Taylor, Redlands, Cal. and Y. M. C. A. Bldg., Phoenix.”
Architects Alfred W. Rea and Charles E. Garstang began their practice in Joplin, Missouri, in 1901, but were working in Los Angeles by 1914, when they designed a building for the Standard Oil company in Whittier.