Huntridge Theatre may get historic status

Friday, Jan. 15, 1999 | 12:51 p.m.

The state Board of Museums and History, meeting in Las Vegas Friday, is scheduled to decide whether the venue should be placed on the State Register of Historic Places.

"Las Vegas has reshaped itself many times over so those parts of it that do survive are even more important," said state Historic Preservation Officer Ron James, who forwarded the art deco structure's nomination to the board.

"There's no reason not to put it on the state registry, especially when you get people who are inspired to preserve a resource," he said.

Since 1992, the nonprofit group Friends of the Huntridge, led by Chairman Richard Lenz, has been fighting to save the building on East Charleston Blvd. The organization has lobbied the state successfully for preservation grants, allowing it to buy the theater, to help bring it back from near ruin following a roof collapse in July 1995, and for general preservation needs.

"It's important to the state of Nevada and Nevadans in general," Lenz said. "In Southern Nevada we don't have a lot of historic buildings and we don't give a lot of credibility to the belief that Las Vegas is historic ... and I think that's short-sighted.

"Historic preservation is pertinent to wherever you are at," he said.

Opening Oct. 10, 1944, as a double-feature matinee house, the Huntridge's fortunes rose and fell over the next 50 years. It hosted Hollywood premieres early in its history. Marlene Dietrich and Frank Sinatra attended the premiere of "Witness for the Prosecution," Jane Russell and Vincent Price were there for the debut of "The Las Vegas Story," Nelson Eddy and Judy Garland sang from the theater's ornate stage during afternoon shows for hotel workers.

Later it would play second-run films at discount prices. Beach Party movies and horror cheapies were often on the bill. In its most recent incarnation, it served as a venue for alternative rock acts.

James said listing the property won't protect it from ever being razed for another use but could help it obtain grants and have tax benefits.

The Huntridge already has a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, which was given in 1993. Lenz said being recognized by the state would be more significant.

"We can't just ignore buildings and keep tearing them down. It's like tearing out your soul," he said.