Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Historic Downtown Salem #68: Capitol Theater Site

542 State Street

IMG_3502 Capitol Theater Site in Salem, Oregon on September 9, 2006
Former site of the Capitol Theater on September 9, 2006

Bligh's Capitol Theater opened on October 5, 1926, and featured a Wurlitzer organ. It became the Warner Bros. Capitol Theater in 1930. In 1941, the organ was moved to the Civic Ice Arena in Seattle. By 1952, the capitol dome marquee had been replaced by a new marquee. The Capitol Theater was demolished in 2001, though the stage house remains, with the opening from the proscenium arch blocked up. Some other traces can be seen on the wall of the Bligh Building, including the outline of the balcony and a column from the theater facade.

Additional Links:
Capitol Theatre at Cinema Treasures
Capitol Theatre at Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society

Historical Photos:
State Street & Capitol Theater, c. 1926 (Oregon Historical Society)
Capitol Theater, 1926-1927 (Salem Public Library)
Capitol Theater, 1927 (Salem Public Library)
Capitol Theater, 1928 (Salem Public Library)
Capitol Theater, 1939 (Salem Public Library)
Capitol Theater Interior, 1940 (Salem Public Library)
Capitol Theater, May 30, 1941 (Salem Public Library)
Capitol Theater Marquee for 1952 movie (Salem Public Library)
Capitol Theater, June 1980 (American Classic Images)

Continue to 69: Hubbard Building

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