Whiteside Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Whiteside Theatre
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The Whiteside Theatre in 2009
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 Location in Corvallis OR
Location in Oregon
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| Location | 361 SW Madison Avenue Corvallis, Oregon |
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| Area | Approx. 0.16 acres (0.065 ha) |
| Built | 1922 |
| Built by | McFadden & Swain |
| Architect | Henderson Ryan |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000060 |
| Added to NRHP | February 25, 2009 |
The Whiteside Theatre is an old and important theater in Corvallis, Oregon. It was built in 1922 and could seat 800 people. After being a movie theater for many years, it closed in 2002. In 2009, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special building worth protecting.
Contents
History of the Whiteside Theatre
Grand Opening Day
The Whiteside Theatre first opened its doors to the public on November 10, 1922. It is located in Corvallis, Oregon, at the corner of 4th Street and SW Madison Avenue. The very first movie shown was The Old Homestead, a Paramount film.
The opening day was a huge success. Many people came, filling the theater completely. The local newspaper said that "throngs of people" came despite the rain. The crowd was so big that hundreds of people could not even get in to see the first show.
The theater had a special Wurlitzer organ. People said it had the best sound of any organ in Oregon. The inside of the theater was beautiful, with fancy curtains and paintings on the walls. The organ was very important because, at that time, movies were silent. Music from the organ helped tell the story and made the movies more exciting.
The Whiteside brothers, Sam and George, built the theater. They owned a company called Corvallis Amusement Company. Building the theater cost about $120,000. The Whiteside brothers had been involved in movies in Corvallis since 1910. They first owned the Crystal Theatre, which was the town's first movie place. Later, they built the Majestic Theatre. The Whiteside Theatre was even bigger and better than their earlier theaters.
Fire and Reopening
In October 1927, a fire badly damaged the Whiteside Theatre. The fire started in a paint room behind the stage. The valuable Wurlitzer organ, which cost $16,000, was completely destroyed. New curtains and seats were also needed. The theater had to close for repairs and changes for the rest of the year.
The Whiteside Theatre reopened on January 2, 1928. It was full of people who came to see the movie Hero for a Night. Before the film, a local person played popular songs on the theater's new organ.
The Arrival of "Talkies"
On December 26, 1928, the Whiteside Theatre showed the first "talking picture" in Corvallis. This was a big deal because movies now had sound! The Whiteside brothers spent about $35,000 to install new Vitaphone equipment. This special system was developed by Warner Brothers.
The Vitaphone system used a record player next to the movie projector. Both parts worked together to keep the sound and picture in sync. Speakers around the theater played the sound for everyone to hear. With these new "talkies," ticket prices changed. An adult ticket cost 50 cents, and a child's ticket was 15 cents. Special seats cost 75 cents. The famous movie The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson, was planned to show at the Whiteside in early 1929.
Other Community Uses
The Whiteside Theatre was not just for movies. Its large stage was also used for many community events. For example, in May 1928, a special Memorial Day program was held there. It was organized by the local American Legion group.
In April 1929, the Whiteside hosted Corvallis's first citywide beauty contest. The winner of this contest was sent on a trip to Texas. She represented Oregon at the 10th annual International Pageant of Pulchritude, which is now known as the "Miss Universe" pageant.
Later Years and Closure
The Whiteside Theatre stayed open and busy throughout the 1900s. In the 1990s, a company called Regal Cinemas bought it. Regal Cinemas ran the theater until it closed in January 2002. The last movie shown there was The Fellowship of the Ring. The theater closed because its old sewer lines needed expensive repairs. Also, big 800-seat theaters were not as popular anymore. People preferred smaller, modern multiplex theaters.
Luckily, Regal Cinemas did not tear apart the inside of the theater when it closed. This made it possible for the theater to be fixed up later.
Bringing the Theatre Back to Life
In 2006, people in Corvallis started a group to save the Whiteside Theatre. They wanted to raise money and support to fix it up. Over the next ten years, they raised a lot of money. The theater has been restored, and now classic movies are shown there again. Public events are also held on its stage.
Work to fully restore the theater is still happening today.
A Historic Landmark
The Whiteside Theatre was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in February 2009. This listing helps protect the theater and recognizes its importance to history.
See also
- Charles and Ibby Whiteside House
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Benton County, Oregon
