My parents, Ted and Viola Wilson, owned the Alpine Theatre in the late 1930s until about 1942. Ted ran the projector, and Viola worked in the ticket booth and supervised the refreshment bar. They had one employee, “Dolly,” who showed the customers to their seats with her flashlight. Viola and Dolly wore glamorous blue silk pant suits. I don’t know the exact location of the building. I have only seen one photograph of the theatre building. My parents decided to move to Seattle so Ted could work at Boeing to help with the war effort, so they sold the theatre.
Joe Vogel, thank you for your post. Ted Wilson was my father. I didn’t know he had something to do with establishing the Vale Theatre! I also didn’t know when he bought the Alpine Theatre in Leavenworth, so that information is much appreciated!
I’m not surprised that they had “the best in projection,” because Ted always wanted top-of-the line quality in his machines.
It is my understanding that the Wilson brothers (Sam, Ted, and another brother) had a machine shop on the west side of Cottage Avenue, across from the Vale.
My father, Ted Wilson, worked at the Royal Theatre sometime in the mid-late 1930’s. That’s all I know for sure, but I suspect he had something to do with running the projector. If I remember correctly, I believe Sam Wilson and sons had a machine shop on the same side of the street, on or near the end of the block nearest the Post Office.
My mother’s grandfather, Eugene Long, was a part owner of the Big “D” Department Store, which was located on the North side of the street at the opposite end. At some point I was told they converted the store to the Vale theatre.
After they were married, my parents moved to Leavenworth, where they owned and ran the Alpine Theatre.
- K. Wilson, Bremerton WA
My parents, Ted and Viola Wilson, owned the Alpine Theatre in the late 1930s until about 1942. Ted ran the projector, and Viola worked in the ticket booth and supervised the refreshment bar. They had one employee, “Dolly,” who showed the customers to their seats with her flashlight. Viola and Dolly wore glamorous blue silk pant suits. I don’t know the exact location of the building. I have only seen one photograph of the theatre building. My parents decided to move to Seattle so Ted could work at Boeing to help with the war effort, so they sold the theatre.
Joe Vogel, thank you for your post. Ted Wilson was my father. I didn’t know he had something to do with establishing the Vale Theatre! I also didn’t know when he bought the Alpine Theatre in Leavenworth, so that information is much appreciated! I’m not surprised that they had “the best in projection,” because Ted always wanted top-of-the line quality in his machines. It is my understanding that the Wilson brothers (Sam, Ted, and another brother) had a machine shop on the west side of Cottage Avenue, across from the Vale.
My father, Ted Wilson, worked at the Royal Theatre sometime in the mid-late 1930’s. That’s all I know for sure, but I suspect he had something to do with running the projector. If I remember correctly, I believe Sam Wilson and sons had a machine shop on the same side of the street, on or near the end of the block nearest the Post Office. My mother’s grandfather, Eugene Long, was a part owner of the Big “D” Department Store, which was located on the North side of the street at the opposite end. At some point I was told they converted the store to the Vale theatre. After they were married, my parents moved to Leavenworth, where they owned and ran the Alpine Theatre. - K. Wilson, Bremerton WA