Holly Theatre (Medford, Oregon)

For the Holly Theatre in Dahlonega, Georgia, see Holly Theatre (Dahlonega, Georgia).
Holly Theatre

The theater's exterior in 2013
Location in Medford, Oregon
Location 226 W 6th Street,
Medford, Oregon, U.S.
Coordinates 42°19′32″N 122°52′35″W / 42.325594°N 122.876476°W / 42.325594; -122.876476Coordinates: 42°19′32″N 122°52′35″W / 42.325594°N 122.876476°W / 42.325594; -122.876476
Built 1929 (1929)
Architect Frank Chamberlain Clark
Architectural style Spanish Colonial Revival
Part of Medford Downtown Historic District (#98000949[1])
Added to NRHP 1998

The Holly Theatre is a historic Spanish Colonial Revival theater in Medford, Jackson County, Oregon, United States.[2]

History

The Holly theater was the second motion picture house to open in Medford. Construction of the building began in 1929, but was halted due to the Great Depression.[3] Construction resumed in March 1930, and was completed later that year.[3] The building was designed by Frank Chamberlain Clark, a southern Oregon-based architect.[4]

Holly Theatre accommodated vaudeville and movies. The 1200-seat theater, large enough to seat ten percent of Medford's population when it was built,[4] continued as a premier venue into the 1970s, but its size was its downfall.[1] The Holly was unable to compete against the smaller, more efficient theaters opening at the time, and it closed in 1986 as did other single-screen, downtown theaters around the country.[3][5] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Medford Downtown Historic District in 1998.[1][6]

In 2010, the JPR Foundation, a subsidiary of Jefferson Public Radio, purchased the theater with plans to restore it, as they had done with the Cascade Theatre in Redding, California.[7][8]

Restoration

Restoration on the interior of the theater in 2014

In 2011, the JPR Foundation purchased the building and began restoration on it.[9] The restoration was estimated to cost 3.5 million USD.[10] The building had failed ceiling trusses and a leaking roof which were repaired. The façade of the building was restored to its original appearance as it was first built in 1930.[9] A recreated blade sign and marquee with 347 lights and 500 feet of neon was added to the building.[9] A grand relighting ceremony was held on April 21, 2012.[11]

In 2013, the JPR Foundation opened the theater for public tours of its restoration process. The foundation will be offering twice-monthly tours to promote its fund-raising campaign.[12] The interior is currently under construction, exposing beams, stained walls, and faded paint.[12] The public tour includes 144 steps to climb to the top of building. An elevator is not present in the building, but one will be installed as part of the restoration.[12]

Actor Jim Belushi was to perform a benefit concert at EdenVale Winery in the summer of 2015 as a part of the Holly Theatre restoration efforts.[13] "He came and fell in love with the theater", Randy McKay, executive director of Jefferson Live!, told the Mail Tribune.[13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 George Kramer (August 1, 1997). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Medford Downtown Historic District" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-05-19. Photos, some historic, most from 1997. Photo of Holly Theatre (1997) on page 66.
  2. ↑ "List of Oregon Historic Theatres". lhat.org. League of Historic American Theatres. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "History of the Holly Theatre". oregonarchitecture.biz. Oregon Architecture Inc. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Holly Theatre Restoration Project". Vimeo. Holly Theatre. Retrieved 18 May 2015. (Video)
  5. ↑ "History of the Holly Theatre". hollytheatre.org. Holly Theatre. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  6. ↑ "Overview of the Holly Theater". hollytheatre.org. Holly Theatre. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  7. ↑ "A foundation affiliated with Jefferson Public Radio has agreed to buy the Holly Theatre in Medford". Ashland Daily Tidings. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  8. ↑ "Back to the Future". Cascade Theatre. 2005. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 "Overview of the Holly Theatre". hollytheatre.org. Holly Theatre. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  10. ↑ "Holly Theatre, Medford". preserveoregon.com. Kramer & Company. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  11. ↑ "Landmarks & Historic Preservation Commission: Holly Theatre". City of Medford. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 Mann, Damian (2 September 2013). "Holly Theatre to open for tours". Mail Tribune. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  13. 1 2 Mann, Damian (7 April 2015). "Actor Jim Belushi joins in Holly Theatre drive in Medford, will appear in parade". Mail Tribune. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
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