Historic Wilson Theatre

== History of The Wilson Theatre == The Wilson Theatre, an architectural gem with a storied past, stands proudly on the northwest corner of the historic town square in Rupert, Idaho. Its inception dates back to 1920, when Daniel Ward Wilson, a businessman with roots in St. Louis, embarked on a mission to create a grand theater in his new rural hometown. With an initial population of just 2,000, Rupert was an unlikely location for such an ambitious project. The theater, costing $75,000—well over Wilson's original budget—was a testament to his vision, boasting elaborate stage and screen features, including a gold screen compatible with the latest projectors and a fly-loft for seamless set changes. Designed to host vaudeville acts, silent films, and local events, the 700-seat theater remained operational into the 1950s. Architecturally, the Wilson Theatre is reminiscent of the jewel box banks designed by Louis Sullivan in the Midwest and the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company department store in Chicago. The two-story brick flatiron building is distinguished by a curved, red brick facade with four decorated arches and terra-cotta-like trimmings, suggesting Sullivan's influence. The western side of the theater includes commercial space, enhancing its mixed-use appeal. Despite its initial glory, the theater faced financial challenges and entered receivership by 1925. Over time, the building's ornate features deteriorated or were removed, and by the 1950s, it had been transformed into a standard movie house, losing much of its original allure. The turn of the millennium marked a new chapter for the Wilson Theatre, thanks to the Rupert Renaissance Initiative established by local business leaders in 1997. Spearheaded by Earl Corliss, the initiative aimed to restore the theater to its former grandeur, repurposing it as a community and arts center. With the help of Pocatello architect Jerry Myers and project supervisor Chris Jackson, the restoration team raised nearly $2 million over 17 years. The project saw the installation of modern lighting and sound technology, and the reconfiguration of the seating to accommodate 390 patrons. Even before the restoration's completion, the theater hosted performances, with audiences bringing their own seating. Idaho State University donated seating from their renovated performance hall, and local individuals and businesses sponsored the new, custom-designed seats, each marked with a donor's name. The Wilson Theatre's revival is a testament to the dedication of volunteers and donors who prevented its demolition and ensured its place in the Mini-Cassia area's cultural life for future generations. The theater's history, as documented by D. Nels Reese for the Society of Architectural Historians, continues to be celebrated and preserved, with updates to ensure historical accuracy and reflect ongoing developments. == References == * D. Nels Reese, "Renaissance Art Center," Rupert, Idaho, SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/ID-01-067-0065. [[Category:Theaters in Idaho]] [[Category:Historic Buildings]] [[Category:Rupert, Idaho]]