Whiteside Theatre - Corvallis, OR
Posted by: 
DougK
N 44° 33.822 W 123° 15.737
10T E 479172 N 4934518
The Whiteside Theater in Corvallis, Oregon, is undergoing restoration.
Waymark Code: WM8TH2
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 05/11/2010
Views: 7
When the Whiteside Theater opened in 1922 it had the largest Wurlitzer organ in Oregon at the time.
Seattle architect Henderson Ryan was the designer of the Whiteside. Though built for movies, the theater has also had live vaudeville acts on stage.
The theatre is probably Corvallis’ best historic commercial structure in terms of original design and historic integrity, and features Italian Renaissance details. The upper story of the exterior of the building retains its original ornamented effect, executed in brick, glass, cast stone and plaster, featuring a central cartouche above a mask and two masks atop the cornice on both ends. The entrance to the theatre features a walkway and the words “Whiteside Theatre.” The neon marquee was added in 1950.
The original layout of the theatre is intact and numerous interior decorative features remain from the 1920s. The auditorium features gilt stenciled frieze work and decorative cast plaster mouldings. Cove lighting and hundreds of hidden bulbs of red, green, orange and blue illuminate the auditorium. Centrally located overhead is an ornate chandelier, suspended from a grillwork dome, providing indirect lighting. The two theatre business offices retain the original stenciled frieze and ceiling trim. Originally seating 1135 people, the theatre accommodated 800 people until it’s closure in 2002.
The Whiteside brothers were the pioneers of the movie industry in Corvallis. In 1908 they established the Palace Theatre and eventually operated six additional theatres in Corvallis. The Whiteside Theatre survives as the last of Corvallis’ great movie palaces.
The Whiteside Theatre Foundation is currently raising funds to rehabilitate and reopen the Whiteside Theatre.
From the Cinema Treasures website:
The Whiteside closed on January 27, 2002, and in May 2008 was donated by Regal Entertainment Group to the Whiteside Theatre Foundation. Plans are proposed to program movies, local and touring live performances, educational workshops and other special events.