Frances Building and Echo Theater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Frances Building and Echo Theater
|
|
Frances Building in 2011
|
|
| Location | 3628–3646 SE Hawthorne Boulevard Portland, Oregon |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.22 acres (0.089 ha) |
| Built | 1911 |
| Architectural style | Commercial |
| MPS | Portland Eastside |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001566 |
| Added to NRHP | January 28, 1994 |
The Frances Building and Echo Theater are two historic buildings in southeast Portland, Oregon. They are located in the U.S. state of Oregon. These buildings are special because they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important to history.
Both buildings were built in 1911. They were added to the historic register in 1994. The Frances Building has two stories and faces Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. The Echo Theater has one story and faces Southeast 37th Avenue. Even though they look like separate buildings, they were built together. They share a wall, called a party wall, between them.
Contents
The Frances Building: A Look Back
The Frances Building was named after the wife of Rudolph Christman. He was the investor who paid for the buildings to be constructed. This building was the very first business building on Hawthorne Boulevard. It was located between Southeast 20th and 39th avenues.
Soon after, more businesses started to open nearby. This happened because more homes were built in the area. Also, new trolley lines made it easier for people to travel.
Original Shops and Offices
The first floor of the Frances Building had many different shops. There was a barber shop where people could get haircuts. There was also a dry goods store, which sold things like fabric and clothing. You could also find a candy store and a drug store there.
The second floor of the building had offices. It also had places where people lived. For many years, shops have continued to operate on the first floor. Today, seven apartments are located on the second floor.
The Echo Theater: A Journey Through Time
The Echo Theater started as a movie house. You would enter it from Hawthorne Boulevard. You had to walk through a passage in the Frances Building to get inside.
Changes and New Beginnings
In 1927, a new movie theater called the Bagdad Theater opened across the street. This new theater was very popular. Because of the competition, the Echo Theater closed its doors as a movie house.
Its entrance was then moved to the 37th Avenue side. For a while, the space was used by storage and plumbing companies. But in 1984, it became a theater again!
Circus Arts Today
Today, the Echo Theater Company uses the building. They teach people about circus arts and circus theater. They offer classes for everyone. You can learn from the very beginning level all the way up to professional skills.
See also
