Bend in Deschutes County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Tower Theatre

Built: 1940

By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2020

1. Tower Theatre Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The original Tower Theatre was built in 1940 in about three months by two shifts of workers employed by local contractor, Fred Van Matre. The building was dominated by the large "Tower" sign that rose 40 feet above the building to a height of 78 feet and was actuated by more than 1,200 feet of neon tug lighting. The original seating capacity of the Tower was 998 seats and the 30 x 18 stage provided space for vaudeville shows, community concerts, weekly amateur hours, fashion shows, and plays, as well as the showing of first-run movies. The theatre closed in 1996 but local citizens raised more than $4.2 million, renovated the facility, and re-opened it in 2004.

Erected by Deschutes Historical Museum. (Marker Number C5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Bend Heritage Walk series list.

Location. 44° 3.522′ N, 121° 18.876′ W. Marker is in Bend, Oregon, in Deschutes County. Marker is on

Tower Theatre and Marker image. Click for full size.

By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2020

2. Tower Theatre and Marker

The marker is in front of the ticket booth.

Northwest Wall Street near Northwest Minnesota Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 833 Northwest Wall Street, Bend OR 97701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Liberty Theater (a few steps from this marker); Buchwalter's (within shouting distance of this marker); Sather Building (within shouting distance of this marker); O'Donnell Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A.M. Drake Homesite (about 300 feet away); Goodwillie-Allen-Rademacher House (about 300 feet away); Drake Ponderosa Pines (about 300 feet away); N.P Smith Pioneer Hardware (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bend.

Tower Theatre image. Click for full size.

By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2020

3. Tower Theatre

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.