Rio
/ Vigilante Theatre
335 N. Main • Opened Dec. 25, 1934
1890
Building remodeled by Helena Architect Sigvald Berg
-- Still Standing
Building at 335 N. Main, 1907
Building at 335 N. Main, circa 1895
Seen from the northeast
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
Rio
Theater Grand Opening, Christmas Day 1934
| Among many
other projects, Helena architect Sigvald Berg (1894-1985) also
designed his home at 711
Monroe Avenue. In 1957 he designed a new wing for St. Peter's
Hospital (on Logan), and in in 1960, the remodeling of Globe
Clothing. |
Rio
Theater, June 1935
COURTESY
OF THE DAVID POOR COLLECTION • CLICK ON
IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW
Rio
Theatre, May 1937
COLLECTION
OF TED KIRKMEYER, COURTESY OF TOM
MULVANEY •
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Rio
Theater Interior
COURTESY
OF THE DAVID POOR COLLECTION • CLICK ON
IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW
May,
1937
COLLECTION
OF TED KIRKMEYER, COURTESY OF TOM
MULVANEY •
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Two Views
of the Rio Theater Marquee, September 1936
COLLECTION
OF TED KIRKMEYER, COURTESY OF TOM
MULVANEY •
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
COLLECTION
OF TED KIRKMEYER, COURTESY OF TOM
MULVANEY •
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Promotional
Float, June 30, 1938
COLLECTION
OF TED KIRKMEYER, COURTESY OF TOM
MULVANEY •
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
| Both movie
theaters and vaudeville/roadshow houses would put together such
floats (often featuring pretty girls) and drive them around town
to promote their offerings. |
"Skyline Bill" (George F. Willman) and Kids, 1941
JORUD PHOTO FROM THE BAIRD COLLECTION
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW
The
Rio Becomes the Vigilante, 1952
| The Rio operated
until about 1946. In 1952, the facility reopened as the Vigilante
Theatre. The Vigilante ran movies as well as providing a venue for
religious revivials and other events. The theatre closed for good
about 1959. Untouched by 1970s "Urban Renewal", the building
has housed numerous businesses over the years. |
The Building
in 2015
COURTESY
OF TOM KILMER
Go
back to THEATERS
|
