National Register of Historic Places

Rialto Theater

Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
Listed
August 20, 1992
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
92001041

About this property

The Rialto Theatre in Tacoma, Washington was built in 1918 to showcase movies. Its design reflects the affluence following World War I. It reflects the character of a palace and is the result of efforts by entrepreneur Henry T. Moore and Tacoma architect Roland E. Borhek. Designed to hold 1500 patrons (revised to 742 today) and retail space. The two-and-a-half-story structure is in the historic downtown of Tacoma. The area has long been associated with theaters and entertainment. The theater is freestanding, with a dramatic view on an incline with a classical façade sheathed of glazed white terra cotta. Both the interior and exterior retain most of the original design of Roland E. Borhek. The theater has an auditorium, proscenium with stage, a relocated projection booth, balcony, lobby, and commercial space. It has been altered with the removal of the storefronts and marquee. On the inside, the lobby's decorative ceiling has been hidden and the concession areas expanded. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The building still houses entertainment and commercial activities (Tacoma City Theaters)

Location

310 Ninth St.
Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
47.25486, -122.44114

Categories

ENTERTAINMENT/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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Questions about this property

When was Rialto Theater listed on the National Register?

Rialto Theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 20, 1992.

What type of historic resource is Rialto Theater?

Rialto Theater is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Rialto Theater?

The period of significance for Rialto Theater is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Rialto Theater?

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