Vista Theater
About this property
The Vista Theater is a theatre located at 218 Iron Street in Negaunee, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Jafet J. Rytkonen was born in Finland in 1879 and came to Negaunee to work in the iron mines in 1902. However, he quickly changed professions and partnered with John Lammi to open a grocery and soda pop business. In 1911, Rytkonen partnered with August Allen to build and operate the Star Theater, located a short distance from the current site of the Vista. In 1925, Rytkonen purchased the lot where the Vista stands in order to build a new theater. Rytkonen wanted to construct a larger, grander, and more modern theatre than the Star. Rytkonen hired architect David E. Anderson of Iron River to design the Vista, and construction began in the spring of 1925. Rytkonen hired Pfeffer Construction Company of Duluth, Minnesota and John Kielinen of Ishpeming to construct the Vista, and Trembath Brothers of Ishpeming to do the interior decorating. The new theatre opened on September 20, 1926. Rytkonen ran the theatre until his retirement in 1950, after which his son, William, and son-in-law, Peter Ghiardi, took over management of the Vista. The Vista Theater remained open until 1972, when William Rytkonen died. In 1973, a group of local citizens formed the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council (PAAC). The PAAC took over the Vista and in 1975 began using it as a venue for multiple artistic forms, including amateur theater productions, musical programs and concerts, films, puppet shows, art exhibits, and arts workshops. In the 2000s, the group began restoration of the theatre, and on July 22, 2005 the structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. New digital projection equipment was installed in 2014, . On August 26, 2020, a large section of the roof over the seating area collapsed. The Vista Theater Advisory Board began working to stabilize the walls and clean the interior before the start of winter. The board started a fundraiser to raise $100,000 for the repairs. Contractors began removing debris on November 19. In May 2023, the City of Negaunee City Council voted to move forward towards purchasing the theater. The purchase would take advantage of grant funds, and would involve the cooperation of the city, the county Land Bank Authority, the state, and the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council. The parties to the agreement are committed to keeping the theater standing, but it is uncertain what the theater will be used for in the future. Restoration work, including the installation of a new roof, began in March 2024.
Location
Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Everything a full report reveals about Vista Theater
This page lists Vista Theater. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Questions about this property
When was Vista Theater listed on the National Register?
Vista Theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 21, 2005.
What type of historic resource is Vista Theater?
Vista Theater is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Vista Theater?
The period of significance for Vista Theater is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Vista Theater?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Vista Theater will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
More in Marquette County
Historic places, battles, and census history across Marquette County.
Explore MarquetteCounty ›More historic places in Michigan
Browse all historic places in Michigan.
View Michiganhistoric sites ›Research the history near this site
An Aubrey US report for an address near Vista Theater will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.