Elsinore Theatre Timeline 1926: The Elsinore Theatre opens its doors as the “largest and most lavish theatre between Portland and San Francisco.” The Tudor Gothic-style theater hosts vaudeville-style stage shows and silent films. The opening May 28, 1926, features the silent film “The Volga Boatman.” The furnishings include a Gobelin tapestry woven in 1676. 1929: The Elsinore converts to sound films, and the mezzanine openings overlooking the lobby are blocked with soundproofing material. George B. Guthrie, owner, operator and builder, leases the theatre to Fox Theaters. 1930s: The Mickey Mouse Club, also known as Zollie’s Gang, draws crowds of young people for a program of live entertainment, cartoons and prizes. 1931: Guthrie leases the theatre to Warner Bros. Theaters, a lease continuing through 1951. 1951: Foreman Bros. leases the theatre, buying it in 1954. Subsequent owners included Tom Moyer’s Luxury Theatres and Act III Theatres. 1980: Concerned citizens form a nonprofit corporation to “combat community deterioration and secure community facilities,” including the Elsinore, which is now a movie theatre. 1986: Preliminary restoration is completed, including new front doors and a marquee, and efforts to save the Elsinore are renewed. 1992: The theater is purchased by a nonprofit group, Stage Inc., or Salem Theatre-Auditorium Group Enterprises, for $300,000, with the help of a $400,000 purchase and remodeling grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust. 1993: The theater reopens in October for rental use after its first closure in its history for repairs and limited remodeling. 1994: The Elsinore Theatre is put on the National Register of Historic Places. 1997-98: The Elsinore season includes actor Hal Holbrook and Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winner jazz musician and composer Wynton Marsalis. 1998-99: The Ballet Stars of Moscow and singers Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis are part of the season. 1999-2000: Imago Mask Ensemble, Western Opera Theatre, Masters of the Steel String Guitar, the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Sante Fe Chamber Music Festival on Tour and Gregory Peck appear in the season. 2000: A Feb. 19 appearance by legendary actor Gregory Peck becomes an international event when Peck says it is his last such appearance. May 2001: The Elsinore celebrates its 75th anniversary on May 26 in the midst of its first sold-out season as a presenter, showcasing talent that ranges from Broadway entertainer and actress Bernadette Peters to actor James Earl Jones. 2002: “The Return to Grandeur” project goes public, with $1.75 million raised in the $2.5 million campaign. Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and blues artist Bonnie Raitt appear in special events, and violinist Itzhak Perlman brings international stature to the Elsinore with an exclusive Oregon recital. Summer 2002: The theatre is closed for the first phase of restoration, which involved the lobby, the basement under the lobby, the facade and the marquee, or canopy and the 12 stained glass windows. The “Romeo and Juliet” mural in the lobby are restored. Oct. 5, 2002: The Elsinore celebrated its 10th anniversary as a community theatre and the completion of the first phase of renovation with a grand re-opening, coinciding with the start of the 2002-2003 season and a performance by the New Old Time Chautauqua. Summer 2003: The theatre closed for the second phase of restoration, with the focus on the stage with new curtains, new lights, a new sound system. A new heating and cooling system installed. Summer 2004: The theatre closed for the third phase of restoration with the focus on the Lobby, the performer dressing rooms and the interior of the Auditorium. October 2004: The theatre reopens upon completion of the third phase of renovation and expands its performance season in addition to developing partnerships with local performing arts groups. May 2006: The Theatre will celebrate its 80th anniversary. Tours      Tour the Historic Elsinore Theatre! Group Tours for $3.00 per person can be arranged by calling 503-375-3574 or email us.  Large groups welcome!