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Gem Theater (Pioche, Nevada)

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Coordinates: 37°55′48″N 114°27′04″W / 37.93000°N 114.45111°W / 37.93000; -114.45111
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Gem Theater
"GEM" in blue, "Theater" in red, and a stylized gemstone motif in yellow
White building with a large blue marquee sticking out over two doors
Building with restored marquee in 2023
Address648 Main Street
Pioche, Nevada 89043
OwnerFriends of Gem Theater
OperatorMelissa Clary
TypeMovie theater
Capacity250
Current useVacant during restoration
Construction
Opened1937
Closed2002
ReopenedPending
Website
gempioche.com
Located in southeastern Louisiana
Located in southeastern Louisiana
Located in southeastern Louisiana
Located in southeastern Louisiana
Coordinates37°55′48″N 114°27′04″W / 37.93000°N 114.45111°W / 37.93000; -114.45111
Architectural styleArt Deco
NRHP reference No.100003379[1]
Added to NRHPMay 29, 2019

The Gem Theater is a movie theater in Pioche, Nevada, originally constructed in 1937, that closed in 2002. The National Register of Historic Places listed the building in 2019 as part of an effort at reopening.

History

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Prior to construction of this building, Brown's Hall was built in 1873 on an adjacent plot. That theater, later renamed to Thompson's Opera House, originally focused on live stage shows and musical performances. Increasingly the venue focused on showing movies on a retrofitted stage, so it was again renamed to the Gem Theater in the 1930s.[2]

In 1937, this larger movie theater opened next door as a purpose-built building. The new venue reused the name "Gem Theater" while the older opera house reverted to its former name.[2][3] The Gem served as the only movie theater in Lincoln County.[4] During World War II, it kept the community abreast of vital developments via newsreels.[5]

The theater closed and reopened multiple times before a windstorm finally blew part of the roof off in 2002 and the building has been vacant ever since. Melissa Clary purchased the building in 2020, after previously leading the effort to preserve the Huntridge Theater in Las Vegas.[6] In 2022, the Friends of Gem Theater held a lighting ceremony for the newly restored marquee.[4][7]

In order to raise funds, the group held fundraisers and sold watercolor prints of the building.[8] In 2023, the Nevada Legislature allocated $1 million toward renovation costs.[9][10] In 2024, the theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which enables the group to gain eligibility for additional grants and tax incentives.[5][11]

Architecture

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The Art Deco theater next to the Greek Revival opera house (left)

The Art Deco movie theater sits prominently on a hillside in the downtown area of the small town.[5] A blue neon marquee over a ticket booth dominates the exterior.[7] The inside consists of the single theater, projection booth, stepdown restrooms, and a sob room for crying children.[8][11] Preserving the Gem is made difficult both because no original floor plans survive and due to water penetration.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 2/2/2024 through 2/8/2024". National Register of Historic Places. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service. February 9, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Christian, Mary Louise; Werber, Diane (September 23, 1983). Lawrence-Dietz, Pat (ed.). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form: Brown's Hall-Thompson's Opera House". National Register of Historic Places. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service. Retrieved November 30, 2024 – via National Archives.
  3. ^ Anderson, Collin (July 24, 2020). "New owner determined to restore Pioche's Gem Theater". Lincoln County Record. Nevada Central Media. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Munson, Cory (Winter 2022–2023). "Nevada's Retro Theatres". Nevada Magazine. Carson City, Nevada: Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Cruz, Martha (February 14, 2024). "Pioche Theater now listed in the National Register of Historic Places". KSNV-TV. Las Vegas: Sinclair Broadcast Group. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Langeler, John; Lewis, Linsey (April 7, 2024). "Las Vegas woman working to bring only theater in Lincoln County back to life". KLAS-TV. Las Vegas: Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Ostronic, Leslie (July 5, 2022). "Gem's neon lights up Pioche once more". Lincoln County Record. Nevada Central Media. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Dawson, Peter (February 26, 2021). "A storm blew its roof off, but historic Gem Theater hopes to rebuild and reopen". KSNV-TV. Las Vegas: Sinclair Broadcast Group. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Sims, Noel (June 9, 2023). "Legislature's 'Christmas tree' bills would give $110M to 70-plus community service organizations". Nevada Independent. Las Vegas: Nevada News Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  10. ^ Hernandez, Jessica (July 10, 2023). "Gem Theater granted $1M". Lincoln County Record. Nevada Central Media. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Sheridan, Kevin (February 14, 2024). "Gem Theater in rural Nevada added to National Register of Historic Places". KOLO-TV. Reno, Nevada: Gray Television. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  12. ^ Dineley, Michael (October 31, 2020). "Owner raising money for restoration of Pioche's GEM Theater". Lincoln County Record. Nevada Central Media. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
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