The dust may soon be brushed away from the seats of the long-closed Roxy Theater in Morton.
The Fire Mountain Arts Council has agreed to pay $80,000 plus $1,700 in closing costs to the Enumclaw owners of the theater. Ten percent will be paid upon closing, with the remaining money to be paid over 15 years. Still to be completed are inspections by a structural engineer and by Lewis County workers.
"Our dream is to have a community theater," said Fred Schwindt, council president. "The Roxy Theater has always been owned by people who live outside town."
According to Morton historian LaVonne Sparkman, the Roxy was actually constructed on the site of an earlier theater called the Arcade Theater. The Arcade was built in the early 1900s by Thomas Hopgood, who became Morton's first mayor in 1913.
Hopgood operated the theater until it burned down with the rest of downtown Morton in the fire of 1924. The Roxy was built on the site in 1937, probably by A.G. and Regina Pecchia, who ran the theater for decades.
"It was (thriving) until TV became real popular," said Sparkman. "I'm sure that's why it went out of business. People stayed home and stared at their own TV.
Sherry Claycamp, now city clerk of Morton, remembers working in the theater from 1957 to 1961.
"It was a grand place," said Claycamp. "It still had big velvet drapes then, and lights. Parents would drive their small children to the movies, drop them off and pick them up. We showed people to their seats, and stood at the bottom and flashed lights up the aisle so people could get out."
In spite of Elvis Presley movies, times were not good for the theater even then. Movies were shown only four nights a week.
Jim Kaiser worked at the Roxy from 1970 to 1972 as a projectionist. He was paid $1.94 an hour.
"I quit because I wanted a raise to 2 bucks and they wouldn't give it to me," he laughed.
Kaiser would splice cartoons and previews to the film, and and take it back apart. He ran two carbon arc projectors, switching back and forth as the show progressed.
The Pecchias rarely showed R-rated movies, preferring family fare. The theater balcony (for ages 16 and above only) however, may have been rated differently, suggests Kaiser.
"That's where the lovers made out," he said, adding with a laugh, "That's where I got my education."
The Pecchias left the theater some time in the 1970s. The theater closed until Jim Howard, an Onalaska resident, took over for two years. In December 1980, the theater was closed until now.
A partnership going by the name of Waddel, Wood and Kerr purchased the property seven years ago with the idea of restoring it, said Schwindt. That didn't happen, and in November of 2002, the council decided to try to purchase the theater.
The council's plan is to use the theater for movies and live events such as theater, dance recitals, school plays, musicals and jubilee coronations.
Before any of that can take place, numerous improvements need to take place in the 350-seat theater. Gypsum wallboard and insulation need to be replaced, an ancient boiler needs to be fixed up, and repairs have to be made to the ceiling and rotting in the stage. The balcony will be used for lighting and sound equipment, possibly for musicians.
"We'd like to have a Christmas show, but the time line depends on grants and funds we get," said Schwindt.
Whenever that may be, Claycamp says the town will be ready.
"Morton has never had a lot going entertainment-wise," said Claycamp. "We had the bowling alley and the movie theater. I think the movie theater is something that could work for us right now."
Mark Lawton covers economic and energy issues for The Chronicle. He may be reached at 807-8231, or by e-mail at mlawton@chronline.com.
