Restored marquee, Alger Theater.  Photo courtesy of Lakeview Community Partnership.

Worker's dismantled the Alger Theatre's marquee and blade sign fr restoration funded in part by a 2020 Oregon Heritage grant.  Photo courtesy of Lakeview Community Partnership.

Historic image of the Alger Theater.  Photo courtesy of Lakeview Community Partnership.

Rural Lake County’s oldest movie theater and a cherished icon of community history, the Alger Theater, has been officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This recognition highlights the significance of the Alger Theater as a vital part of Lakeview and Lake County's cultural heritage and architectural legacy. Restore Oregon is proud to have initially authored the nomination in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office and in close coordination with the property owner, Lakeview Community Partnership (LCP).  The nomination and designation process took over three years all the while rehabilitation to the property was also happening.  

Restore Oregon also provided technical support and site visits for the 2020 Oregon Heritage grant that helped LCP improve interior lighting, replace the building’s rear fire doors (drastically improving egress during an emergency), and most visibly restored its lighted marquee!  

Opened in 1940 and designed by architect James W. DeYoung, the Art Deco theater was built during the period considered the Golden Age of Film. The theater has provided a primary form of entertainment for the community since its construction.  When built, Lakeview featured three movie theaters, but today, only the Alger Theatre remains as a testament to that era in the entire county. The Alger Theatre continues to epitomize the classic theater design of the Art Deco era, showcasing unique architectural features such as its blade sign and distinctive tile work.

Ginger Casto, Executive Director of the LCP, expressed her enthusiasm for the National Register listing, stating, "The Alger Theater is more than just a building; it's a cornerstone of our community. Its recognition in the National Register of Historic Places underscores the importance of preserving our shared heritage and ensuring that future generations can experience its magic."

The Alger’s nearly half-million dollar restoration and rehabilitation has been largely financed by grants from Oregon Main Street, the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, Oregon Arts Commission, The Roundhouse Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, the Collins McDonald Trust Fund, Lake County Community Foundation, Lake County Community Fund, and community donors. 

Preserving rural historic places like the Alger Theater is crucial for maintaining the fabric of our communities all across Oregon. That is why Restore Oregon has been working on historic theaters since 2015 and added rural theaters to our Most Endangered Places program to raise more awareness and provide support to rural communities through this work.

These sites not only tell the stories of our past but also serve as anchors for economic revitalization and community pride.  By acknowledging and protecting these historic places, we honor the resilience and ingenuity of those who shaped our rural landscapes.