When built in 1922, the Whiteside Theatre was the second grandest movie palace in Oregon at that time. The building is an excellent example of Italian Renaissance architecture applied to a theatre. It is probably Corvallis' best historic commercial building in terms of original design and integrity. The upper story of the exterior of the building retains its original ornamented effect, executed in brick, glass, cast "stone" and plaster. The original layout of the theatre is intact and numerous interior decorative features remain from the 192O's period.
The Whiteside brothers were the pioneers of the movie industry in Corvallis. They started with the Palace Theatre in 1908 and eventually operated six more theatres within the city. The theatre was operated up until the winter of 2002.
The Whiteside Theatre opened to the public on November 9, 1922. The picture "The Old Homestead" was shown that night with Mrs. Lillian McElroy accompanying on the $20,000 two-manual double touch Wurlitzer Organ. That organ was the largest, and the Whiteside Theatre the grandest, in the state of Oregon (excepting the Liberty Theatre in Portland). The Whiteside Theatre cost over $100,000 to build (a substantial sum at that time). The theatre was designed by Seattle architect H. Ryan and erected by local contractor McFadden & Swain.
It was built with brick from the Builders Supply Company and lumber from Buxton's Central Planing Mill, both Corvallis firms.
Sam and George Whiteside built the Whiteside Theatre in 1922 in honor of their father. The Whiteside family owned the theatre building until 1985, when Vida Carlson Whiteside (whom Samuel Jr. married in 1915) sold the property to Tim Moyer Cinemas, Inc. The Whiteside family was involved in the Whiteside Theatre's activities for a total of 63 years, and in Corvallis' theatre entertainment business for over 77 years.
The Whiteside Theatre continued in operation as a movie theatre until the winter of 2002. The exterior of the building is mostly original (except for the addition of the neon marquee). The interior layout is intact, though decorative elements have been removed over the years. The "movie palace" resplendence could be returned through a proper restoration with a focus on capturing the spirit of the 1920's, bringing new life into this venerable theatre.