Capital Theater (Ely, Nevada) (original) (raw)

United States historic place

Capital Theater
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Capital Theater in 2014
Capital Theater (Ely, Nevada) is located in NevadaCapital Theater (Ely, Nevada)Show map of NevadaCapital Theater (Ely, Nevada) is located in the United StatesCapital Theater (Ely, Nevada)Show map of the United States
Location 464–468 Aultman St., Ely, Nevada[1]
Coordinates 39°14′53.3″N 114°53′36.3″W / 39.248139°N 114.893417°W / 39.248139; -114.893417
Built 1916
Architect Fleming, C.O.; Hull, Percy W.
Architectural style Mission/Spanish Revival
NRHP reference No. 93000692
Added to NRHP August 05, 1993[2]

The Capital Theater in Ely, Nevada was built in 1916 by C.O. Fleming and W.P. Hull.[3] The building began as a vaudeville hall that hosted a diverse range of live entertainment, including acrobats, comedians, lecturers, and magicians. The building reopened as a cinema in 1923, at a time when films were becoming popular. The theater closed in 1963.[4] The building's style represents a possible reconstruction after a 1929 fire, and might best be described as Spanish Colonial Revival. The theater's design was carried out by the owners.[3]

The tall brick exterior's lower portion, which houses the retail stores, has been altered, but the upper two thirds remain as built with a scalloped parapet. The interior was remodeled in the Art Deco style in 1938, shortly after the Hull brothers' other theater, the Central Theater, was completed in the same style.[3][5]

The Capital was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.[2] Brothers Brad and Chris Lani, local residents originally from Hawaii, purchased the theater from owner Norm Goeringer in December 2004.[6] In January 2007, the Lanis announced plans to renovate the building and reopen it as a multi-purpose theater for films, concerts, and theatrical performances. The building was found to be in excellent condition following an inspection. At the time, the building was occupied by Herline Jewelry and Fantasy Fast Photo.[4]

  1. ^ Addresses 464, 466, and 468 can be seen on the three businesses occupying the building in 2014 photo.
  2. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c James, Ron; McFadden, Michelle (May 1993). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Capital Theater". National Park Service. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
  4. ^ a b Herndon, Rudy (January 26, 2007). "A Tale of Two Theaters: Lani brothers have big plans for Ely theatre" (PDF). The Ely Times. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  5. ^ James, Ron; McFadden, Michelle (May 1993). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Central Theater". National Park Service. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
  6. ^ "'Couple of Hawaiian guys' from Ely to open Maggie's in Mr. G's". The Ely Times. March 24, 2006. Retrieved May 10, 2017 – via NewsBank.