Mount Baker Theatre
104 N. Commercial Street,
Bellingham,
WA
98225
104 N. Commercial Street,
Bellingham,
WA
98225
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Once operated by Mann Theatres during the 1970s.
Once operated by SRO Theatres and later Cineplex Odeon. The Mount Baker closed as a full-time first-run house on March 1, 1990 with “Music Box”.
The Mount Baker reopened fifteen days later on March 16, 1990 under new ownership with the Judy Garland classic “The Wizard Of Oz” along with the classic Betty Boop Fleischer cartoon “Snow-White”. After new ownership took over that year, it ran a mix of classic, independent, and second-run movies as well as special screenings, film festivals, and performing arts.
As of 2025, the Mount Baker’s current functions are mostly performing arts, but they also have classic films and film festivals at occasions.
According to the Pacific Coast Architecture Database, “[t]he Bellingham architect James Zervas (1926-2010) was instrumental in saving the [Mount Baker] theatre from demolition and for renovating it as a community performing arts center.”
This opened on April 27th, 1927. Grand opening ad posted.
Function should also include: Movies (classic) and film festivals.
Does anyone know what movies played there in the 60’s?
WOW! Now THAT’S a theatre
Last weekend, I went to hear top-rated Australian theatre organist Neil Jensen in concert at the Mt. Baker’s 2 manual, 12 rank Wurlitzer.
What an experience! Not only was Jensen terrific, but the organ sounded fantastic! This theatre has WONDERFUL acoustics for a theatre organ! In most places, a smallish 12 ranks would have trouble filling up such a large room, but not here! The organ sounds wonderfully warm and rich, and no detail is missed, a surprising thing for such a big room.
Also, this theatre is VERY much worth going to see the beautiful architecture, lovingly restored as stated above. No pictures can do the place justice!
Here is a link about the theatre and its history, mostly related to the Wurlitzer theatre organ, but with other info also…
View link
I went to a showing of a silent movie complete with oregon music back in 1995. It was a very cool thing and being I was only 20 at the time very unusual.
The theater is Morish in design and I heard at one time, there was a bright light atop the 100ft tower.
Beautiful theater for sure!