First, a ‘mission statement.’ No. Make that an action statement, and a commitment. The focus of this blog is the history of Nevada and Las Vegas.
So, let’s start with a prediction. The historic Huntridge Theatre WILL BE TORN DOWN within the next twelve months. However, it may happen in the the next six months.
“Historic theatre, where?” Located on the southeast corner of Charleston and Maryland Parkway, the Huntridge was one of few movie houses that were permitted to be built during World War Two.
Designed by internationally known architect S. Charles Lee, the Huntridge has a long and colorful history.
The Huntridge Theatre is listed on the Nevada as well as the National Register of Historic Places. It was also listed this year as one of Nevada’s Most Endangered sites.
http://www.unlv.edu/Colleges/Liberal_Arts/History/preserve_nevada/2006_sites.htm
The theatre has been shut down for more than a year, and we are hearing that the owner is now telling people he “can’t keep the thing.”
He has been holding private talks with city redevelopment folks and is pointing out he may have a mold problem as well as a bird problem in the building.
Would like to develop a list of people that worked at the Huntridge, knew someone who worked there, or can provide a moment of their own connection with the theatre.
If you would like to read more on how the Huntridge got to the point to where it will be torn down, click here.
Submitted by: Robert Stoldal
NOTE: Please read the above within the following context, I serve as Chair of the City of Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission; I worked as an usher at the Huntridge Theatre, and serve on the Preserve Nevada Board
I was born and raised in Las Vegas. I spent many Saturday afternoons at the Huntrige Theatre. Some of my most memorable experiences include standing in line for hours to see the next showing of “Mary Poppins” and “Fantasia”.
I think it was 50 cents to get in and I always had a dollar from my mom and that left 50 cents to buy popcorn and candy.
There was a huge curtain in front of the screen until the time, and a sound-proof room upstairs for crying babies.
I once watched Sonny and Cher in “Good Times” for the entire day…I think it ran about 3 or 4 times…lol…
It would be a shame to tear down that building with all of it’s history.
Comment by Teri Hill — November 12, 2006 @ 11:50 am
I remember the Huntridge well. My parents took my brother and me to see Disney films there. There was a sound proof cry room upstairs where moms could take their crying babies and still watch the film. Because of my brother, I saw a number of films from that room.
I remember seeing the feature length Flintstones animated cartoon about Fred being a spy as well as “Mary Poppins”. I also remember it had a large red (?) curtain that would be drawn back as the movie began.
My first date was at the Huntridge. We went to see “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean” starring Paul Newman. We took the city bus from Charleston Heights, transferred buses at the old bus depot downtown and then arrived at the Huntridge.
Where the mattress store is now used to be the Huntridge Station Post Office. I think it had a mural in it.
Comment by Lynn M Zook — November 15, 2006 @ 11:12 pm
What can the people do to stop it?
Comment by Samantha T. — January 31, 2008 @ 12:32 am