Edmonds in Snohomish County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Princess Theater
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Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2024
1. Princess Theater Marker
A Main Street landmark since the 1920s, the Princess Theatre, later renamed the Edmonds Theater, has been an enduring part of the Edmonds community for generations. The theater began as a more modest movie house called the Union Theater, located just across the street. Originally owned by Edmonds city father Fred A. Fourtner, the Union Theatre changed names and owners several times before it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Berry in 1921 and rechristened The Princess Theatre. The new owners had grand plans for first-class movie house in Edmonds, and in early 1923 contracted with John McGinnis, local businessman and future Edmonds City Council member, to construct a new theater directly across the street. The result was the beautiful art deco building that persists to this day. In November 1923, a grand opening of the new Princess Theatre was held. Festivities included speeches by local dignitaries and musical performances by the Edmonds Band.
The theater quickly became an Edmonds landmark and positioned the community as a center for arts and culture. In 1929 the Princess treated Edmonds theater-goers to Broadway Melody, the first smash- hit "talkie" to win the Academy Award for best picture. In response to the hard economic times, the Princess lowered ticket prices in 1932
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Business was still good, and in 1938 the theater was updated with new seats, carpets, projection and sound equipment...
Helen Berry passed away in 1941. Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Brown, who had been associated with the running of the theater since the early 1920's; continued to operate the Princess until 1952. During their tenure, a snack bar was added, and the sound and projection equipment modernized.
The historic 252-seat movie house is among the last remaining independent single-screen movie houses in the state. It is an enduring Edmonds institution. and a link to a bygone era of cinematic grandeur.
Erected 2014 by City of Edmonds Arts Commission. (Marker Number 9.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1923.
Location. 47° 48.652′ N, 122° 22.669′ W. Marker is in Edmonds, Washington, in Snohomish County. It is on Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 415 Main Street, Edmonds WA 98020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region and in Greater Seattle. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beeson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Library Building
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2024
2. Princess Theater Marker - wide view
Also see . . . Princess Theater (City of Edmonds). Part of the citys walking tour of historic sites.
Excerpt: The current Edmonds Theater was formerly the Princess Theater. It is among the best-known buildings lining Main Street.(Submitted on June 14, 2024.)
The theaters roots were as a more modest movie house called the Union Theater, located across the street from its current location. Originally owned by Edmonds city father Fred A. Fourtner, the Union Theater changed names and owners several times before it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Berry in 1921 and renamed The Princess Theater.
The Berrys had grand plans for a first-class movie house and in early 1923 contracted with John McGinnis, local businessman and future Edmonds City Councilmember, to construct the new theater. The result was the beautiful Art Deco building that still stands today...
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
