![](/images/cat_icons/HistoricSite_A.gif)
Raymond Theatre - Raymond, WA
N 46° 41.175 W 123° 44.000
10T E 443922 N 5170560
Raymond's beloved theater, built in 1928
Waymark Code: WM71FM
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 08/18/2009
Views: 10
This beautiful terra-cotta and concrete theater was built by Raymond community leader Asef G. Basil in 1928. Opening night was on October 11, 1928 with a showing of the silent film The Jazz Singer, accompanied by Miss Lavern Little of Seattle on a Hope-Jones Wurlitzer organ.
Historical accounts indicate that someone unknown removed the organ from the premises without the Basil family's permission, eventually selling it to Alden Bice, an organist who toured the country billed as The Ol' Jazz Tuner. When Bice died in 1987, the executors of his estate returned the organ to its original home. February 12, 1994, marked the triumphant rededication of the grand organ with Andy Crow of Olympia presiding at the keyboard as a silent movie rolled across the screen.
The historic theater has been completely restored to its former state of elegance and currently shows feature films and presents live performances. Business hours vary depending on the day and what is being performed.
Street address: 325 3rd Street Raymond, WA USA 98577
![](/images/spacer.gif) County / Borough / Parish: Pacific
![](/images/spacer.gif) Year listed: 1991
![](/images/spacer.gif) Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
![](/images/spacer.gif) Periods of significance: 1925-1949
![](/images/spacer.gif) Historic function: 1925-1949
![](/images/spacer.gif) Current function: Recreation And Culture, Work In Progress
![](/images/spacer.gif) Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
![](/images/spacer.gif) Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
![](/images/spacer.gif) Privately owned?: Not Listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) Season start / Season finish: Not listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) Hours of operation: Not listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) Secondary Website 2: Not listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
![](/images/spacer.gif)
|
Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.