Washoe theater anaconda montana1/14/2024 ![]() ![]() ![]() Additional resource: article by Dena Sanford in 2009 Butte Vernacular Architecture Forum Guidebook ( PDF), p. Text modified from HABS/HAER documentation, Monica Hawley, historian and historic plaque text by Montana Historical Society. Sources: Photos by Jet Lowe (HABS/HAER, 1979, from Library of Congress public domain). The Sundial Theater, originally called the Margaret in honor of Marcus Daly’s wife, was built in 1897 and destroyed by fire in 1929. The Washoe replaced an earlier theater on the same site. ![]() It is all the more remarkable for its Depression-era birth, when movie theaters were built on a grand scale but no longer so opulently furnished. Today, the Washoe is one of the best preserved theaters in the United States, with original fixtures and equipment still in place and in use. The interior decor also included draperies, a carpet, opera chairs, hardware, and sandblasted glass door panels all carefully selected to compliment the art decor scheme.Īdmission for first-run films in the 1930s was thirty-five cents. When first opened, the Washoe employed the latest projection equipment, and was the only theater in Montana to install a Western Electric “Mirrophonic” (stereophone) sound system, first developed in 1933 by Bell Telephone Laboratories. The applied decor employs pastel colors with eight shades of gold leaf in addition to burnished gold leaf on relief elements. ![]() Aside from the murals, executed by three expert decorators, decorative wall and ceiling work throughout the theater was the work of members of the Painters Local of Anaconda under Smythe's supervision. Find Washoe theater images dated from 1936 to 2004. From: Washoe Theater, Anaconda, Montana, to Anaconda Historic District, Washoe Theater, 305 Main Street, Anaconda, Deer Lodge County, MT. Two magnificent stags are hand-painted on the blue silk plush curtain that graces the stage. Download Images of Washoe theater - Free for commercial use, no attribution required. Colors of cerulean blue, salmon, rose beige, and yellow are enhanced by abundant copper plating, silver and gold leaf, and ornamental ironwork. Hollywood artist Nat Smythe prepared the designs and watercolor sketches for the interior and the original drawings are still maintained by the current owner. Completion of this structure was delayed until 1936, due to financial effects of the Depression.įrom the street, the Washoe’s restrained brick exterior gives little indication of the breathtaking splendor that lies beyond the etched glass doors. Construction of the 1,000 seat theater began in 1931, and was financed by the Washoe Amusement Company at a total cost of $200,000. The theater's structural architecture and elaborate interior decor are both outstanding examples of the contemporary art deco style. Marcus Priteca (1890-1971), and built by Gus Forseen, Missoula contractor, the Washoe Theater opened to the public on September 24, 1936. Designed by Scottish-born and Seattle-based architect B. Contact us if you want a raffle ticket- or go to If you are interested in getting involved by supporting, volunteering this event, please contact Downtown Market at. Over 20+ Vendors and local businesses have donated items for the raffle! We will ship or deliver if you win and you need not be present to win. Raffle tickets are being sold to support the Non-Profit Discover Deer Lodge. The first 25 groups or families who enter get a free tote-bag filled with treasures from local shops and vendors. Anaconda $20 admission, 12 and under FREE Event is from 11am-4pm. Buy tickets in person at the event: 305 Main St. Walk the aisles of this historic building, shop the artists and vendors, enter raffles, and hear and watch performances and presentations from a myriad of cultures all to support your local community! As this is a Benefit, Twenty percent of ticket sales will be donated to the Anaconda Family Resource Center. In 1919 a new 585-foot tall smokestack was added that today is recognized as the tallest surviving free-standing masonry structure in the world. The Downtown Market Crew invites you to the second of a series of quarterly community events in Southwestern Montana! Join us at the STUNNING Washoe Theatre in Anaconda Montana, built in 1931. The Washoe Smelter at Anaconda continued to expand capacity over the years. ![]()
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