Riviera Building Colombia Theater

The Riviera Theater, which has gone through several name changes, first opened on June 2nd 1925 in Astoria, Oregon. In its golden era, the vaudeville theater was a beloved town jewel originally owned by Von and Jesen Herberg before being passed through many hands. Throughout its nearly 100 years of its operation, the building has also been used as a roller-rink and wrestling arena [3]. The first name change was not until 1957; the vaudeville theater also went under the names of Lewis and Clarke Theater, Voodoo Theater, and most recently, Columbian Theater. As well as name changes, the theater has had many different owners, in 1997, Uriah Hulsey and Jeanine Fairchild purchased the theater [2]. While there is not much information about its original operating days, there are many articles about its recent refurbishment. In 2013, the theater raised $60,000 to make the switch from 35mm to digital production as well as a brand new sound system [2&4]. But thats not all, the exterior of the building also received some care after the city of Astoria received 27 grants from the Oregon Main Street Revitilization Grant Program. The shingles and windows of the building were restored as well as the stucco frontier [2]. The theater is also home to the Astoria Horror Fest where Oregonian filmmakers are encouraged to submit their creepy films. There are two prizes; Audience Choice and Best in Festival which is an ironic $666 [5]. The Columbian Theater and the Riviera Building itself is a beloved corner of Astoria, with so many helping hands willing to keep the theater up and running, is a pure sign that the love for classic cinema and movie-going is still alive.