The Joy Theatre was opened in Vernonia, Oregon on May 4th, 1928 with J. H. Bush as proprietor1. Bush had already operated both the Rose and Majestic theaters in Vernonia since 2 years prior in 19242, and built the Joy in honor of his daughter1. In terms of programming, the Joy was built and operated as a movie theater, featuring a projection booth upon opening (although "absolutely fireproof"1, a fire broke out there in February 1934, injuring one person3). As of its opening, the theater also hosted "Vaudeville Attractions"4.
The Joy Theatre posted showtimes in local newspapers, as well as promoting itself in later decades by sponsoring events in Vernonia5. Locally, the Joy's main form of attraction was its neon marquee, which was installed in the late 1930s, and destroyed by vandals in 19856. According to a secondary online source interested in the preservation of theater organs, the marquee was put up for sale on eBay in July, 20047*.
*Although the apparent text of the listing is archived, the listing itself is not, and this website does not cite an exact origin.
Pictured: Vernonia Eagle, December 28, 1950: 2.
In February 1996, Vernonia was hit by a "500-year flood [of] more than 8 inches of rain in 4 days", prompting 60% of residents to be evacuated on the 12th8. Two years later in 1998, The Independent says that "Anyone who had eyes in February 1996 knows [that the Joy] flooded"9, and chastises Vernonia's local government for studies in turning the Joy building into Vernonia's new city hall, implying its closure. This is confirmed by 2007, when Google Maps' first recorded images show the Joy building as occupied by 2 commercial units.
The Joy building ca. June, 2015 after closure.
Credit: Wordpress user Gretchen.
Left: Vernonia Eagle, May 3, 1928: 3.
Right: Vernonia Eagle, February 9, 1934: 1.
