Oregon’s Rural Historic Theaters
Statewide
Oregon’s rural communities have not received the attention and resources of larger metro areas and have struggled in shifting economic times to keep their Main Streets vibrant. Historic theaters at the heart of these communities provide a unique gathering place that anchors downtown, offering entertainment, renewed nightlife, and participation in cultural events. Restore Oregon’s work with historic theater owners and operators over since 2017 has shown that revival of these community cornerstones is often the catalyst for a much larger renaissance. In 2020, Restore Oregon added rural historic theaters to our Most Endangered Places program and have renewed our focus on bringing the economic and social benefits of theater rehabilitation to small towns across Oregon.
Also in 2020 Restore Oregon joined forces with Oregon Heritage to bring an unprecedented infusion of over $615,000 in grants to eight rural historic theaters in Oregon. Restore Oregon has acted as a technical consultant for these projects, many of which were affected by pandemic shutdowns, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. Although these obstacles prolonged many project timelines, an enormous amount of progress has been made as the grant program has successfully wrapped and these theaters are all improved!
Restore Oregon provided assistance with researching eligibility determinations for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and helped the theaters complete the grant application process. Throughout the grant program, we acted as a technical consultant for theater owners and operators sharing cost-free project support and our network of resources. We are inspired by the dedication of all eight grant recipients to see these projects through several difficult years as part of their commitment to contributing to the vibrancy of rural communities.
Dallas Cinema – Dallas
The Dallas Cinema building (formerly Fox Theatre), constructed in the 1890s as a furniture store, is unique in that it is a conversion theater – a modified commercial storefront that was converted in 1948 to accommodate the rise in movie attendance. The 2020 grant from Oregon Heritage helped fund roof repairs, an updated HVAC system, marquee and box office repairs, exterior masonry/brick repainting, and paint sealant on exterior walls. Additionally, the grant helped to prepare the building to accommodate a mural in the near future. “The Dallas Cinema contributes to the vibrancy of the downtown not just culturally, but socially and economically as well,” said Tyler Ferrari, Economic Development Specialist with the Dallas Downtown Association. As part of the 2020 Oregon Heritage grant, the Dallas Cinema was listed in the NRHP, further cementing its importance in downtown Dallas.
The circa 1948 Dallas Cinema used a 2020 grant from Oregon Heritage to fund roof repairs, updated HVAC, marquee and box office repairs, exterior masonry and repointing, and paint sealant on exterior walls. Photo courtesy of Dallas Downtown Association.
Rex Theater – Vale
The Rex opened in 1926 during what was known as the Golden Age of films. A two-story Art Deco building, it features about 150 seats on the ground floor, and another 50 in the balcony. A lighted marquee was added in 1931. Despite its last film playing in 2006, the Rex has continued as a venue for events serving Vale and its surrounding communities. The property is owned by Mike McLaughlin, former mayor of Vale, and Sandijean Fuson, an attorney and director of the Drexel Foundation. Mike and Sandijean received a grant award of $90,000 and used it to help fund over $110,000 in renovations, including restoration of the 1931 marquee to lighted condition, replacing a coal furnace with an energy efficient HVAC system, and painting the exterior.
Co-owner of the Rex Theater, Sandijean Fuson, stands under a newly restored marquee, funded by a 2020 Oregon Heritage grant award, which was also used to replace the building’s antique coal burning furnace. Photo by Katelyn Van Genderen.
Cameo Theatre – Newberg
In 2018, the Cameo was listed in the NRHP for its architectural significance and representation of recreation and culture in the early 20th century. Also significant is its status as Newberg’s first theater built with a sound system to accommodate talking pictures. Owner Brian Francis, grandson of Ted Francis, worked with the Newberg Downtown Coalition to apply for and receive its Oregon Heritage grant to update seats and acoustical drapes in the auditorium, and repair exterior lighting on the marquee. In July 2023, the badly deteriorated 1965 Heywood Wakefield seating was removed and replaced with new reclining seats that capture the Art Deco/Streamline Modern character of the theater. The front seven rows of original 1937 seats on each of the side aisles
Newberg’s Cameo Theatre received funding to replace badly deteriorated 1965 Heywood Wakefield seating with new reclining seats that capture the Art Deco character of the theater. Photos courtesy of Brian Francis.
Alger Theatre – Lakeview
Architect J.W. DeYoung designed a “modernistic” theater in the Art Deco style that integrated new technology, art, and services in the early 1940s. After operating for over 70 years, the theater closed for business in March 2014. In an effort to the save the building, a citizen group raised $120k, receiving $111,685 from an Oregon Main Street grant awarded by Oregon Heritage and raising the remaining $47,865 themselves in 2019. The 2020 Oregon Heritage grant helped LCP improve interior lighting, replace the building’s rear fire doors (drastically improving egress during an emergency), and restore its lighted marquee. It also funded the Alger’s nomination to the NRHP, which was initially drafted by Restore Oregon staff. The Alger Theatre will be listed for its association with the Golden Age of Film and for its distinction as the only surviving example of Art Deco style architecture of its type in Lake County.
Workers dismantle the Alger Theatre’s marquee and blade sign for restoration funded in part by a 2020 Oregon Heritage grant. Installation is expected in fall of 2023. Photo courtesy of Lakeview Community Partnership.
While this grant program is now complete, Restore Oregon remains committed to providing assistance to historic theater owners and to offering project support to all rural Oregonians.
Head to www.restoreoregon.org to donate in support of our work and to check out our Rural Resources Hub!