The Capitol Theatre was built in 1916 as the Capitol 3 Theatre in downtown Moose Jaw, Saskatchwan. It showed both movies and live performances. Equipment for "talkies" was installed in 1929.
In the 1980s the capital was "renovated" into a three screen movie theater. 20 years later in 2003 the three movie theaters were removed and the building was once again reconfigured for performing arts, but not movies.
The Capitol Theatre is listed as a Western Canadian Heritage Property: (
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"Former Capitol 3 Theatre
217 Main Street N, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, S6H, Canada
Formally Recognized: 2001/12/03
THER NAME(S)
Former Capitol 3 Theatre
Capitol Theatre
Allen Theatre
Moose Jaw Cultural Centre
CONSTRUCTION DATE(S)
1913/01/01 to 1916/12/31
LISTED ON THE CANADIAN REGISTER: 2007/01/17
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
The Former Capitol 3 Theatre is a Municipal Heritage Property located near the intersection of Main Street and Fairford Street in downtown Moose Jaw. The property features a two-storey, brick-clad concrete building built in 1916.
HERITAGE VALUE
The heritage value of the Former Capitol 3 Theatre building lies in its architecture. Architect James C. Teague designed the building and provided it with decoration that was intended to attract and impress patrons and made it a prominent part of the streetscape. Included among these are reliefs depicting cherubs, masks and crests of the Allen Theatre chain which appear on the ornate plaster ceilings and walls of the theatre chamber. Other interior decoration includes a foyer with a vaulted plaster ceiling decorated using reliefs and polychromy.
Exterior decoration such as the Allen Theatre crest, cornice, pilasters, a replica steel canopy, vertical signage and light fixtures add to the prominence of the building and told patrons of the quality of entertainment offered within. The façade is clad with T-P Moka brick made by the Saskatchewan Clay Products Company formerly of Claybank some 60 kilometres from Moose Jaw. These same brick products were used on the neighbouring former Army and Navy store and allow the Former Capitol 3 Theatre to complement the streetscape. Different tones of brick were used to create ornate geometric patterns on the face of the building. The prominence of the building is furthered by the use of a parapet with signage indicating its date of construction, pilasters, large street level windows and a belt course with dentils.
The heritage value of the former Capitol 3 Theatre also resides in its historical role as a theatre and cinema. Originally designed as a Monarch Theatre, construction of the building was halted with the advent of World War I. The Allen Theatre Company took over the project, altered the design and finally opened it in 1916. At the time it was the largest theatre in Saskatchewan and represented the zenith for the theatre business in Moose Jaw, after which the number of such firms began to decline. In 1922 the building took on the name ‘The Capitol’ and began a long association with the Famous Players Theatre chain. The Former Capitol 3 Theatre was a hub of activity for entertainment and social life. It offered patrons movies as well as performing arts from travelling circuits originating in such places as Winnipeg’s Walker Theatre. In 1929 equipment for ‘talking’ pictures was installed. Famous Players sold the building in 1982, and from 1983-2001 it was a three-screen movie theatre that was not equipped for performing arts. In 2003 the building re-opened as part of the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre and was re-equipped to show performing arts."
And from the Cinema Treasures website: (
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"MOOSE JAW CULTURAL CENTRE
217 Main Street North, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0W1
The Moose Jaw Cultural Centre started out as a movie theater called the Allen Theater. When architect James McTeague designed the original building in 1913, it was supposed to be called the Monarch Theater. Due to World War I, construction was delayed and the building was not completed until the Allen Theater Chain took over the project. They named it the Allen Theater which opened on August 19, 1916. In 1922 it became the Capitol Theater. In 1929 the Capitol Theater was upgraded for sound movies.
It remained a single screen theater until 1982. In 1983 two more screens were added and seating was reduced from 910 to 652. The name was changed to the Capitol 3 Theater. As a movie theater the Capitol Theater closed in August of 2001. The theater is now used for concerts and live performances."