RESTORATION OF HISTORIC THEATER TAKING SHAPE
Liberty Theatre — The Observer
Alookback: How the Liber got its start in La Grande uildings are like people. Each
B is unique in appearance, function and personality. Just as a person evolves &om a family, so too a building evolves from the family thatcreated it— the dreamer,the architect, the contractor and the soul of the business it shelters. This is true of the Liberty Theatre.
1900 — 1917 Around the turn of the century, La Grande was becoming a cultural melting pot due to the arrival of the railroad. The population was nearly 3,000 when young entrepreneur Stephen A. Gardinier and his wife, Madlin, arrived &om New York. In early 1910, Stephen purchased two lots on Adams Avenue and hiredJohn Lyman Slateras his architect. Together they built the Orpheum. This was the birth of the Liberty Theatre. The La Grande Weekly Star, on Sept.16,1910,reported thatS.A .Gardinier"is arranging to begin work at once on the new vaudeville theatre. He has plans arranged for rushing the construction and hopes, if it is possible, to have the place ready to open within forty days... A representative ofthe Pantages circuit was in La Grande yesterday conferring with Mr. Gardinier in regard to the new theatreand alsoforbooking ofattractionswhich aretobepresented as soon as the building is ready to be thrown open to the public." Over the next few weeks there m ust have been aflurry ofbrick masons, carpenters and other construction workers because the Nov. 19, 1910, La Grande Evening Observerreported thefollowing: 'Vaudeville will take its second debutin La Grande next Monday night when the finest vaudeville house in the northwest, size of the town considered, will be thrown open... The seating capacity, the sanitary ventilation methods, whereby fresh air is circulated
LOOKING BACK GINNY MAMMEN through the building every six minutes, the interior furnishings, the light effects, the newness and crispness, the size of the stage, all go tomake the theatrea perfection in its time. The lower floor seats 439 people and the boxes hold twelve. The gallery holds 182. These are all opera chairs and do not count chairs which may be installed later. This makes a totalof632 peoplewhich can be comfortablyseated atone tim e. The aisles are provided with floor lights. This gives a splendid light effect and is a new arrangement. The wall chandeliers are attractively grouped and all go to insure the perfect lighting arrangements of the building. The aluminum curtain, the air system, and a half dozen other features make the building exceptionally new and up to date in every detail. A glimpse at the interior of the building will bear out the statement that it is nicely decorated and furnished. The walls are tinted and pretty. The building is equipped with water toilets and every convenience. Manager Gardinier has a private office on the gallery floor." The basement held two dressing rooms and a bathroom for the performers. Not only did the railroad make it possible for new residents to arrive in La Grande — it also made it possible for live theatreperformers to travelto this out-of-the-way location. The Nov. 28, 1910, La Grande Evening Observer included an advertisement for the Orpheum showingavariety ofliveperformances."Evening Prices 15 and 25g Boxes 50g Matinee Prices 10 and 15g" — said the ad. By the time the Orpheum was only three months old, vaudeville was no longer the"in" thing — now
Liberty Theatre Foundatian
The Liberty blade sign can be seen on a rainy night across Adams Avenue in this photo from 1949. it was cinema and special presentations. According to the La Grande Evening Observer, on Saturday, Feb. 11, 1911, the Orpheum presented its final vaudeville show. On the following Monday under the new name ofArcade, the theatre was presenting the"Swellest Attraction Ever Offered by Popular Theatre Company — Il Trovatore" for only 10 cents admission. In February 1917, Madlin and Stephen Gardinier sold the Arcade to Joseph Donald Meyers and HenriettaB.Leiterfor$28,000. Meyers was the president of the La Grande Evening Observer Publishing Co. and Henrietta Leiter was the vice president. Clarke Leiter, Henrietta's husband, was the editor and publisher.
After the Gardiniers made the original sale, the ownership of the building became a very complicated web.
1918 — 1929 The Arcade was still one of the finest theatres in the northwest, but it could getbetter— and that was what happened after the Leiters sold their V2 interest in the theatre to Henrietta's brother Everett Ford and his wife, Jane, in September 1922. The July 14, 1923, La Grande Observer reported that Meyers and Ford were beginning a reconstruction and remodeling of the Arcade. The two worked with a local architect by the name of Charles B. Miller, and dramatic
changes began to take place. For one, another story was added to the building."The roof of the building will be raised to accommodatethe enlarged stage which will be reconstructed suitable for road shows. A new &ont will be installed oflate design. The &ont will be made flush with the sidewalk doing away with the alcove entrance that now exists." The exterior stairs on either side of the building leading to the balcony were now moved inside. New windows were added on the gallery level, and a new Arcade sign and canopy were installed. The balcony was enlarged, afi reproofprojection room was constructed and a higher ly was added overthestage.The f Observerreportedthat"a mezzanine floor will care for the Ladies' restroom, also a general lounging room and offices for the company." Beyond the reconstruction, the interior ofthe theatrewas redecorated and updated. According to the Observer, 'The theatre is to be reseatedwith thelatestmo del upholstered seats.Decorations will be in Spanish blue and French gray with new draperies and floor coverings. The balcony will contain two rows ofloge seats." The crowning glory of the auditorium was the "chandelier designed by Ben Shearer of Seattle who will also have charge of the decorating and seatingaswellasthearrangement of new scenery for the stage." Photos from the Charles Miller Collection at the University of Washington portray some of these changes. It was also at this time thatan $18,000 orchestralorgan was added. The theatre did not reopen until early fall 1923. In 1925, another change of owners took place when Everett and Jane Ford sold their part of the business to Arthur Bowen and his wife, Alice, who then in 1928 sold their interest to Francis Greulich. Thus in 1928, the owners of the SeeHistory / Page 3
Liberty Theatre — The Observer
Monday, December 28, 2015-
HISTORY
Blade sign to light up
Continued ~om Page 2
A sign lighting event is slated for the afternoon of New Year's Eve. Memories and the restoration will be discussed from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Joe Beans, across Adams Avenue from the theater. The sign will be lit about 4:30 p.m.
theatre were the Meyers and Greulich.
4KRgr~ — —.
1930 — 1945 On Sept. 1, 1930, under the ownership of Joseph and Betty Meyers and Francis and Helen Greulich, Inland Theatres, Inc., owned by Frederick Mercy Sr., took over the management of the theatre. Inland Theatres, Inc., according to the La Grande Observer, "was one of the first independent theatre chains in the country...controlling and operating a dozen theatres in six northwest towns." La Grande had the first of these theatres in Oregon. The owner's son, Fred Jro was the general manager of the chain, and he was not one to sit back and wait for something to happen, as attested by the Oct. 2, 1930, La GrandeEvening Observer,which ran a special section telling of the new Liberty Theatre, formerly the Arcade, and reporting that"eleven days ofintensive work precede de luxeopening tomorrow."The opening movie was"So This Is Londona starring Will Rogers with Irene Rich, FrankAlbertson and Maureen OSullivan. Prices — ADULTS 50bt KIDS A DIME MATINEES 35btaadmission had gone up considerably since the vaudeville days.
ee~ [
ee~e
rium underthe balcony.They are upholstered in leather and will be available in both double and single form." The original seats remained in the auditorium, but according to young Mercy, "Every seat in the house has been washed and repaired, greatcare being taken to remove all bolt ends and rough edges thus insuring against soiled clothing and torn stockings." The arti clealsoreported that "the front of the theatre had been renovated and the lobby redecorated in a gold and colored stencil design." From pictures and from the October1930 articlereferring to the"new Liberty," it is assumed that this is when the original "Liberty" sign was alxed to the building.
Liberty Theatre Foundatian
A simulated crashed car is parked in front of the Liberty Theatre in this 1950 photo. The article further described the improvements made during those eleven days."Marked improvement of the sound and projection equipment will qualify as the finest in Eastern Oregon... Entirely repainted in warm up-to-date colors the interior is bright and cheerfulthroughout... Ceiling, borderand wall-paneldesigns, executed by a crew of skillful and experiencedtheatre decorators... Beautiful new carpets and drapes designedto be both decorative and to aid in the acoustics..." e e e
I
Again Ben Shearer was in charge of the redecorating. The chandelier was described as "a thing ofbeauty which adds a tremendous amount to the decorative perfection which has been attained in the auditorium." The thing that impressed many of the theatre goers, both young and old, was the addition of more loge chairs. The Observerdescribed them as "modern lounge-type loges. Three rows of thesecomfortableseatshave been placedin therearofthe audito-
1946 — 1959 In February 1946, the Meyers sold part of their interest to a J.E. Jones of Roswell, New Mexico, and again new things started happen-
I' I
ing. The La Grande Observer of March 27, 1946, reported, Theaters will have $25,000 modernizing." This was to include the Liberty, State and Granada. It was at this time that the"completely modern" marquees, each with"800 feet of neon lighting,"were introduced. In addition,'The Liberty Theatre will be completely recarpeted at a costofapproximately $4000 and lavatory facilities there are being modernized. Offices have already been expanded and remodeled." The seating was not addressed in the article, but this would have been about the time the red leather seatswere installed. In the years between 1911 and 1959, many movies were shown, recitals held, high school theater performed, music played and all the other events that created the soul of the building. On May 3, 1959, the last film was shown and the grand lady known as the Liberty Theatre closed her eyes and went to sleep. Information for the LibertyTheatre history was compiled by Ginny Mammen as collected from La Grande newspaper articles, city director ies,federalcensus records and other public records, as well as autobiographical and biographical information locatedin the archives of the Cook Memorial Library and from fel low researchers Carrol Lester and Pat Kliewer.
Group Tours • Trek to Machu Picchu - Hike the
• Italian Highlights - Travel with
Inca Tcaiiio Machu Picchu withus and G-Adventures June 2016
1jsdnd Globus Tvucs fiom Rome io - +'IfJIilan in May 2017
• Scots-Irish Tour Join us and CIR tours as we travel through Scotland and Irel and October 2016, N (0,
-
.• Puris io Prague River CruiseSail with us and Viking River Cruises September 201 7
Alegre Travel is an authorized dealer of
boggpLini
I •
Q liEE6RE-~~R74V>El " .a
-
-
. Ob I4'.
w.'
a
lt tttttt> ttt:~ ~ C(ieC k ttttl: ttttt Vf'et IVt@RE6' Vfttlr 58KE ~~ Pttttft 18kZ& Q1130~77AdamS AVe. u u u.alegretravel rom
s
•
•
S
541-963-9000
Liberty Theatre — The Observer
By Kelly Ducote The Observer
F
rom its inception more than a century ago, the Liberty Theatre has been a gathering place in the middle of downtown La Grande. After
Early1910
it closed in 1959, the building's status changed as it became a retail spot. Now a group hopes to restore the building and its essence t o i t s former glory and see it once more become "La Grande's living room."
Fedruary1911
Stephen Gardinier purchases two lots on Adams Avenue and hires John Lyman Slater ashis architect to build the Orpheum Theater.
Madlin and Stephen Gardinier sell the Arcade to Joseph Donald Meyers and Henrietta B. Leiter for $28,000.
Novemder1910
Seytemder1922
The Orpheum opens with seating for 682 people and is dubbed by The Observer "one of the finest vaudeville houses in the Northwest."
The Leiters sell their portion of the theater to Everett Ford and his wife, Jane.
1910
1920
In the few short years the Liberty Theatre Foundation has been active, much has changed at 1010 Adams Ave. A new blade sign welcomes La Grande's visitors, and a full interior restoration is planned. The Arcade Theatre is shown as it appeared Iuly14,1923 in the late 1920s or Meyers and Ford announce in early 1930 from Adams The Observer that they are Avenue, likely just prior to beginning a reconstruction it becoming the Liberty. and remodel of the Arcade Bots Bull collection Theatre, working with architect Charles B. Miller.
Oct.2,1930
The Fords sell their interest in the theater to Arthur Bowen.
1930
Fed.11,1911 The Orpheum presents its final vaudeville show.
Fed.13,1911 The theater opens under the name of Arcade.
Following a major remodel, the theater's name is changed to Liberty Theatre.
1925
1940
The Observer reports that Everett Ford, the brother of Mrs. Leiter, has "full charge of the Arcade and Star Theatres."
Patrons line up outside the Arcade Theatre to buy tickets to "Black Mask," a silent Western, in 1916.
The theater building is converted toretail space.
1950
1928
Novemder1918
1962
The Bowens sell their interest to Francis Greulich, making the owners the Meyers and Greulichs.
1929
May3,1959 Following the double feature of"The Spider" and "The Brain Eaters," the theater went dark.
The Arcade shows its first "talkie."
Bots Bull collection
Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
BAUM SMITHA TT O R N E Y S A T
ette» i i
LA W
e viis • 'eAc i « « » ecv ' « A» e eA»
1902 4th Street, Suite 1, La Grande
541-963-3104 • www.baumsmith.com
1960
Liberty Theatre — The Observer
Monday, December 28, 2015-
+
Film projection lamps and equipment still sit in the theater's projection room, decades after the theater closed. TIm Mustoe /The Observer
AAUU
I,ae
August2013
The La Grande City Council tours th e Liberty Theatre last year.
+
TIm Mustoe/The Observer
luly2011 UlustratIon by Carh Krueger / For The Observer
The Stage Door Theater opens in the back of the Liberty as a temporary venue during restoration.
TIm Mustoe /The Observer
1980
1990
2000
1999 ~ T he Liberty Theatre's chandelier, which was added during the 1923 remodel of the Arcade, hung in the theater until March 2015 when it was sent to California to be restored. TIm Mustoe /The Observer
He l p i n g
Brick repointing is completed on the exterior of the building.
SelIt.12,2012
Early 2010
Ownership of the theater is transferred to the Liberty Theatre Foundation.
Group forms to explore restoration of the Liberty Theatre.
B u S i n eSS Th r iVe SinCe 1955
Member FDIC
EQUALUU UUUG
LENDER
A replica of the historic blade sign is installed.
CarlI Krueger / For The Observer
Cont a ct A Union County Community Bank Lending
Mortgage
www.communitybanknet.com
Nov.25,2015
Team Member To Discuss Your Financial Needs for 2016
Have a Happy 6 Successful New Year!
LocalMoney Working For LocalPeople
2010
luly2012
The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
B AN K
Upper window rehabilitation is completed with the help of a La Grande Urban Renewal Facade Grant.
May2012
The theater's balcony awaits restoration. Its false floor will also soon be removed.
1910
SelItemder 2014
The La Grande Urban Renewal Agency approves a $75,000 loan for the Liberty, which can later be converted to a grant.
The historic sign was . ~ replaced in November.
The La Grande Urban Renewal Agency approves a second $75,000 loan/ grant for the theater, bringing its investment to more than $150,000.
La Grande Downtown
Deena Perin
Dawn Bruce
AVP/Eastern Region Mortgage NMLS¹537239 541-962-7600
Branch Manager NMLS¹1313168 541-962-7600
La Grande Valley Branch Katy Thomas
Ejgin
Union F Wallowa Co. Kath y Bonney Hanley Kennedy
AVP/Branch Manager AVP/Branch Manager NMLS¹1313176 NMLS¹ 1 0 82567 541-963-3434 541-437-1811
VP/Commercial Loan Officer NMLS¹1313172 541-963-3434
Liberty Theatre — The Observer
®' "From the time I was 5, Ispent my summers with my grandparents, and when we went to town a Dairy Queen treat always ended the trip. Occasionally I got to go to a movie, and on onefothose occasions Istood injont of the Liberty Theatre with my choicefoa gladiator-type movie. Mygrandfather suggested that we cross the street and walk down to the Granadafor a diPerent choice. A Marilyn Monroe movie was playing I was a bit disappointed at leaving the Liberty and what was sospecial aboutMarilyn Monroe." Preston
— Becky Preston
"Ifyouhad a quarteryou couldgotothem oviesand geta soda — a I2-ounce soda. I remember going there a lot." — David S. Bean
"I sold the last ticket at the Liberty Theatre. I never thought I'd need to remember
(the title fothe lastshow). I worked therewhilein high school. I would goback and forth among the theaters. When it closed I went to the drive-in." — Norma Goodwin Flanagan
"We movedtoLa Grandein 1956.We camefrom Portland. Ijust remember when we came around the corner and there that big red
Braseth-palmer
"Thefirst timein the balcony and seein g thechandeliergave me theinspiration to rebuild the
sign was. My kids wereso
theater and giveit life again."
excited."
— Dale Mammen, chair of the Liberty Theatre Foundation
— Gerry Braseth-Palmer
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, UW 36205
The Liberty, then known as the Arcade Theatre, as seen after a renovation in 1923.
AS A PR O U D S U P P O R T E R O F TH E A R T S IN OUR CO M M U N I T IES,OTEC CO N G R A T U LA TE S T H E L IHERTY T H E A T R E F O U N D A T I O N A S TH E Y
ZVOUS R RESOR 2632BEARCO LOOP, LA GRANDE OREGON • I •I • •
•
•
•
C E L E H R A T E T H E L IG H T IN G O F T H E
L iIIBERTY TH E A TR E S I G N .
HAppv Navr YEAR.'
••I• •
•
I
I '
Liberty Theatre — The Observer
Monday, December 28, 2015-
®' "Terry and I probably went to the Liberty asften o as we went to the Granada. We went there all the time. We satin the balcony. Ijust thoughtit was a neat place. My great-great-uncle was the architect — his name was Slater. I thoughtit was a beautiful theater with the balcony and all. The 3-D movies came out then, and I thought that was so neat. Wehad to wear those special glasses." — Mary Jo Lemon
Lemon
"My husbandloved movies,and hewasa lawyer.I f he wanted to getrelieffrom the bad things he heard during the day, we went to the movies.... I was a member foan organization and wore a pin. I lostit and thought I le ft it at the theater. Whoever was cleaning the theater wentthrough thevacuum bagandfound that pin. Thatis a good memory.... I love movies, and I was alwayshappy to goseemovies." — Gerda Brownton
"The movie I remember seeing there was 'National Velvet'with Elizabeth Taylor. I do remember one time sitting below (the balcony) and someone hitting me with gum that gotin Brownton
Wiens
my hair." — SallyWiens
"When wewerelooking for afu n,historicand eclecticplace toget married, the Liberty Theatre was on the topfour o list. Toour surprise
"Marvin Hill and I had a contract to clean the theaterin late1943. There's not much to tell when it comes tocleaning the theater... It was like they / r-
had a compulsionin damage.(As apatron) Igot to gointo the projection
P~+~W>q
room quite a bit. (The proj ectionist) let me do certain simple junctions
I
myself.For methehighlight ofthe whole thing wastheprojection room."
Steffen
— Stan Steffen
Thompson
it was available on the date we picked, 12/12/2012. The Liberty
Theatre wasallit promised to beandpaired perfectly with our movie posterinvitations.Just like the movieswelived happily ever after." — Carolyn Thompson
luxury to it. More posh like. I loved working there and hated to seeit close." — Marianne Feik Fullmer
Opp pp p p p O
P'roud su~pp+or@ ter of~Tvh~e"Liberty l<heatre F'oundation
I
p p p p p Op O
•
. •
:T hankyou ..;:. 2015. Kneads ": closed ': Dec. 25-Jan. 1
, CI
Happy ".'euv '(ear! O
pp
pO
• j
Ownei,LeahOver P
%4
Tue-Fri 7:30-4:00, Sat. 8-3
MZXEf
OPPNllllNIT
1113 Adams• 541-963-5413
www.1ohnhoward.com 1207 Adams Ave. La Grande 541-663-9000
Liberty Theatre — The Observer
4 •
•
•
~
•
BEST PRICES AROUND 0I-'0
j t. K:
'. j.t> .) ' • ..4 A '5')-')15 RI I
I
' ARI'
2216 Adams Ave., La Grande, OR 97S50 RXOC8
(541) 963-5S51 Mon — Fri 9am — 6pm® Sat 10am — Spm® Closed Sunday
5 510 AR A IA MMR05. OR MR'0 505.5051
5150 55 0 51.
RMIRR ROR O'0