National Register of Historic Places

O.K. Theatre

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon
Listed
March 7, 2012
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
12000085

About this property

The OK Theatre, at 208 W. Main Street in Enterprise, Oregon, is a historic building that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. It was built in 1918 and featured—new for its area and time—a sloped seating section so that theatre-goers would have unobstructed views. It was renamed to the Vista Theater in about 1933. It was bought in 2001 by new owners who restored its original name, and who operated it until 2008. After 90 years of operation the OK Theatre was closed in 2008, leaving Wallowa County, Oregon without a single open theatre. The building was offered for sale, together with two businesses and apartment rentals, for $240,000 Part-time locals Bill and Melisa Bush, along with their son Gabriel bought The OK in 2009. During their four years with this institution, they brought back up to date movies, foreign and art movie nights, special needs movie screenings, theatre productions, charity events, high school events and much more. The Ruby Peak 48 Hour Film Festival was established during this time. The building was also placed on the Historic Register. In 2013, the Bushes returned to international teaching and sold the theatre. The theatre was purchased in the fall of 2013 and has returned to its roots as primarily a music and theater hall. The theatre has hosted such acts from blues to bluegrass, indie to experimental with bands such as The Infamous String Dusters, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, and Mount Eerie as well various children's theater production and community events.

Location

208 W. Main St.
Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon
45.42523, -117.27943

Categories

COMMERCEENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

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.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Gotter Hotel
Industrial
0.1 mi
Wallowa County Courthouse
Industrial
0.1 mi
Enterprise Mercantile and Milling Company Building
Industrial
0.2 mi
Wallowa County Chieftain Building
Industrial
0.2 mi
Enterprise IOOF Hall
Industrial
0.2 mi

Questions about this property

When was O.K. Theatre listed on the National Register?

O.K. Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 7, 2012.

What type of historic resource is O.K. Theatre?

O.K. Theatre is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for O.K. Theatre?

The period of significance for O.K. Theatre is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near O.K. Theatre?

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