Historic Hood River
Early Rialto View
Notes
This is a nice early view of the Rialto Theater, possibly right after its construction. We previously saw this view of the theater from the 1940s, with a more grand marquee.
The dating of this image is a bit confusing. Sally Donovan’s downtown survey from the 1990s shows the building to the left was originally constructed in 1922 as an auto garage by Harry DeWitt, while the empty lot to the right would later house Kelly Hardware and a bakery– in 1920. As I’ve said on many occasions, our records are not perfect. I believe the garage was actually constructed in 1917. I think it is the one described in this article from the Hood River Glacier. The Rialto Building wasn’t completed until 1921, according to this article, so the date for the Kelly Hardware building must be a little later than 1920.
It’s always hard for me to believe this grand theater fit in such a small space, but I’m pretty sure its two neighbors have not moved in the past century.
See that chimney on the right side of the building? I wonder if it’s the one still standing in the modern view. It sure looks like it. It would be nice to know a small corner of the Rialto Theater survives!
Roger H Sheldrake
The theater was managed by a Mr. McSwain in the late 50’s /60’s. That family had a son, Baynes whom I last saw in 1961 when I left Hood River. I believe he died in Vietnam.
Thank you for your service
Will
Arthur: Do any of the buildings that housed theaters in the past (e.g. Liberty) still stand?
Jeffrey Bryant
My mother was married to Baynes McSwain.
Arthur Babitz
Hard question, Will. “Moving Pictures” appears in the Sanborn Maps in many buildings, but often for a short time period. The Liberty/Cascadian was where the plaza is next to Doppio and the Rialto was on this empty lot, so both are gone. I see the Doug’s Sports building housed a theater in 1916. We know the Pythian Building at State and 4th had a theater when it burned before 1920. I think there were a couple of other ones, but Doug’s may be the only surviving structure which housed a theater (excluding the Skylight which is still a theater)
L. E.
I wonder what the overhang over the entrance was made out of. It looks heavy.
Susan
Saturday afternoon double features! Sent with $1.00 my brother and I would walk down the Jubitz steps to watch two movies and share a box of popcorn and a soda ($.35 each for admission, $.15 for popcorn and a dime for the drink.) I think mother enjoyed those afternoons alone as much as Craig and I did at the movies.
Jeffrey Bryant
Hood River Glacier, 1927-07-28, page 8 – A new ventilation system has been installed at Rialto Theatre.
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1927-07-28/ed-1/seq-8/