Egyptian Theatre (Coos Bay, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Egyptian Theatre
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 Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Location | 229 S. Broadway, Coos Bay, Oregon |
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| Area | less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000281 |
| Added to NRHP | May 24, 2010 |
The Egyptian Theatre is a super cool, historic movie theatre located in Coos Bay, Oregon, in the United States. It's a special place that takes you back in time!
Contents
Discovering the Egyptian Theatre's History
The Egyptian Theatre was built by Charles Noble. He was a descendant of one of the first families to settle in the area. The theatre first opened its doors in 1925.
Building a Unique Theatre
The building was designed by two architects, Lee Arden Thomas and Albert Mercier. They made it look like ancient Egyptian temples. You can see piers (like columns) decorated with papyrus blossoms. There are also cool wrought-iron lights shaped like hooded cobras on the ceiling.
The stairways even have 8-foot (2.4 m) tall statues of pharaohs! The main theatre area can seat 770 people. It's a great example of the Egyptian Theatre style. This style was very popular in the early 1900s. It became especially famous after the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922.
The theatre still has all its original backdrops from vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a type of entertainment with different acts, like comedy, music, and dance. Originally, the theatre had one big screen. In 1976, the balcony area was changed. It became two smaller screens, and the theatre could then seat 1,000 people.
A Special Organ and Historic Status
In the year 2000, the Egyptian Theatre had something very rare. It was the only theatre in Oregon with its original theatre organ. This amazing instrument is a 4/18 Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. It makes incredible music and sound effects!
By 2010, the Egyptian Theatre was one of only four remaining theatres in the United States built in the Egyptian Revival style. The theatre started inviting the community to use its space. People could hold meetings, concerts, plays, and other events there.
The building was officially added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 2010. This means it's a very important historical site. In 2011, the theatre needed about $3 million for repairs. Because of this, it was put on a list of Oregon's Most Endangered Places. This list helps bring attention to important buildings that need saving.
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