Bend in Deschutes County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Tower Theatre
Built: 1940
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2020
1. Tower Theatre Marker
Inscription.
Tower Theatre. Built: 1940. 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.
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.)
Location. 44° 3.522′ N, 121° 18.876′ W. Marker is in Bend, Oregon, in Deschutes County. Marker is on 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
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 117 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
