Salem's Historic Grand Theatre

The Grand Theatre is part of a complex of historic buildings in Salem, Oregon, United States that was originally owned by the fraternal organization Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as the Chemeketa Lodge No. 1, Odd Fellows Buildings. The theater building is also known as the I.O.O.F. Temple.

Chemeketa Lodge No. 1, Odd Fellows Buildings
Corner view, 2017
Location185–195 High Street, NE
Salem, Oregon
Coordinates44°56′26.08″N 123°2′14.03″W / 44.9405778°N 123.0372306°W / 44.9405778; -123.0372306
Built1900
ArchitectWalter D. Pugh, Morris Homans Whitehouse
Architectural styleRomanesque Revival
Part ofSalem Downtown State Street – Commercial Street Historic District (ID01001067)
NRHP reference No.88000275
Added to NRHPApril 8, 1988

The Grand Theatre was built as a lodge hall and opera house by the Oddfellows in 1900, and was designed by the architectural firm of Pugh & Gray.[1] The Julius Grau Opera Company performed at the grand opening on November 29, 1900.[2] An annex containing a hotel and bus terminal and designed by architect Morris Whitehouse was built in 1921. The two former I.O.O.F. buildings were added to the NRHP in 1988.[3] The buildings currently hold retail businesses, offices, and a ballroom with other facilities that are rented for special events and even lends itself as a film and music venue. Enlightened Theatrics also performs several Broadway style live performances each year at the Grand Theatre. The Grand Theatre has main floor and balcony seating. The Film Daily Yearbook of 1947 listed the Grand Theatre having 744 seats. Over the years, the seating capacity has been reduced to 380 seats. There are 13 rows on the main floor with 268 seats and 5 rows in the balcony with 112 seats.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Cowan, Ron. "Downtown theater ushers in a new era". www.newspapers.com. Statesman Journal. Archived from the original on January 1, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  2. ^ "Grand Opera House Grand Opening". www.oregonnews.uoregon.edu - Oregon Historic Newspaper Database, University of Oregon (Newspaper). The Daily Journal. November 27, 1900. vol.X no.29 p.4. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  3. ^ "Oregon National Register List" (PDF). Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department. July 16, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
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