Echo Theater

strawberry on April 7, 2006 at 9:59 am

(from http://www.sysc.pdx.edu/~tads/echostory.html)

“The Echo Theatre opened in 1910 as a silent movie house. It was one of several businesses in The Frances Building, a two story brick commercial structure on the corner of 37th Ave. and Hawthorne Blvd., which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

When “talkies” arrived at the newer Bagdad Theater across the street, it became a dance hall. From 1929 to 1954 Eastside Van and Store occupied the space. It then remained empty until 1969 when Plumbing & Electric Supply moved in for four years, followed by another plumbing supply company, Republic Enterprises.

In 1984 Do Jump Movement Theater acquired a long term lease on the space to serve as its resident studio and theater.

…In 1989 the Board of Directors decided to call this new performing arts center by its original 1910 name: The Echo Theatre."