10 Beautiful Old Movie Theaters Around The Country (PHOTOS)

Beautiful movie houses are, unfortunately, a thing of the past.

The idea of sitting amongst such history, where silent and black and white films have been played, is truly amazing.

Here are 10 restored and beloved movie theaters in communities around the country.

Did we forget one? Send us your favorite!

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• Old County Theater, Doylestown, Pennsylvania

  <a href="http://www.countytheater.org/about.html" target="_hplink">Built in 1938</a>, the theater is now preserved by a local non-profit.

• Eureka Theater, Eureka, California

  This beautiful old theater, <a href="http://www.eurekatheater.org/" target="_hplink">built in 1939</a>, was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in January 2010.

• Oaks Theater, Berkeley, California

  This 1,438-seat theater was originally <a href="http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1856/" target="_hplink">constructed in 1925</a>.

• Old Jewel Theater, Humble, Texas

  This small Texas town welcomed the movie theater somewhere between <a href="http://cinematreasures.org/theater/12388/" target="_hplink">1930 and 1945</a>.

• River Oaks Theater, Houston, Texas

  This <a href="http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/houston/riveroakstheatre.htm" target="_hplink">3-screen theater</a> was built in a shopping mall in Houston in 1939.

• Edison Theater (Niles Essanay Film Museum), Fremont, CA

  This Bay Area theater hosts a <a href="http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/" target="_hplink">silent film festival</a> and also has a film museum attached.

• Blaine (Mercury) Theatre, Chicago

  A <a href="http://cinematreasures.org/theater/4299/" target="_hplink">single-screen theater</a>, the Blaine started showing movies around 1912.

• Loew's Jersey Theater, New Jersey

  This ornate theater opened its bronzed doors in <a href="http://www.loewsjersey.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33&catid=23&Itemid=48&limitstart=2" target="_hplink">1929</a>.

• Sag Harbor Cinema, Long Island, New York

  This 19th century cinema served as a <a href="http://www.hamptons.com/detail.php?articleID=4630" target="_hplink">live theater center</a> until the invention of film.

• The Plaza Theater, Atlanta

  This Atlanta theater, <a href="http://plazaatlanta.com/HISTORY.html" target="_hplink">which opened in 1939</a>, served as an X-rated and burlesque theater in the 1970s before being bought by its current owner.

• The Orpheum Theatre

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Hardyman1966"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/profiles/519631-tiny.png?20100212111348" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Hardyman1966">Hardyman1966</a>:<br />www.laorpheum.com Forget Disney's El Capitan in Hollywood! This monster is hidden in downtown L.A. among several other palaces that have yet to be rescued. This was a nice start, complete with the pipe organ!

• Fox Theatre

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jerry_Swayne"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/678821154/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jerry_Swayne">Jerry Swayne</a>:<br />http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/oct/19/fox-theater-restoration-be-recognized-nationally/

• Heights Theatre, Northeast Minneapolis

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/chrissyb84"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/profiles/750877-tiny.png?20100428161404" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/chrissyb84">chrissyb84</a>:<br />Built in the Beaux Arts style of the last century, the Heights Theatre building was a simple neighborhood movie house showcasing local talent in stage plays and "High Class Amateur Vaudeville Acts." The Heights has survived at least three fires, one bombing and "The Big Blow of 1949" when a Fridley tornado twisted the tower sign.

• Byrd Theater, Richmond, Virginia

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/dino213aa"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/profiles/387689-tiny.png?20100907122852" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/dino213aa">dino213aa</a>:<br />

• "The Senator" Theatre in Baltimore, MD (courtesy of Bill Hughes)

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/BillyClub"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/1334685315/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/BillyClub">BillyClub</a>:<br />"The Senator" Theatre in Baltimore, MD (photo courtesy of Bill Hughes)

• Oriental Theatre, Milwaukee, WI

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Joshua_D_Wolter"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/501106823/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Joshua_D_Wolter">Joshua D Wolter</a>:<br />Built in 1927, the movie house is home to 3 screens playing movies from mainstream to indie, and is also home to the worlds longest running showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

• The Alabama Theater

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/nolafolks06"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/nolafolks06">nolafolks06</a>:<br />The Alabama Theater in Birmingham, AL

• Grand Lake Theater

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/alivenbreathing"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/profiles/893467-tiny.png?20100203202833" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/alivenbreathing">alivenbreathing</a>:<br />The Grand Lake Theater is a historical movie palace located at 3200 Grand Avenue and Lake Park Avenue in the Grand Lake neighborhood of Oakland, California. The Grand Lake was designed as a single auditorium theater by the Reid Brothers for West Coast Theaters, Inc. After it opened on March 6, 1926, it held vaudeville and silent movie showings, but with the arrival of "talkies" it began to exclusively show sound films. In 1928, the Grand Lake became part of the Fox Theaters chain, and in total, changed ownership five times until 1980. In 1980, the theater was purchased by Allen Michaan of Renaissance Rialto, Inc. The Grand Lake Theater prior to Fox Theaters' acquisition. The theater's exterior is surmounted by a giant illuminated rooftop sign. Neoclassical faux columns and urns line the main interior space and the ceiling is adorned with a crystal chandelier in the lobby and classical frescos in the auditorium. After purchasing it, Renaissance Rialto, Inc. spent $3.5 million on renovation and expansion. In 1981, the balcony of the auditorium was split into a second auditorium. In 1985, neighboring storefronts were purchased and attached to the theater. These were transformed into a small Egyptian Revival styled auditorium and a small Moorish styled auditorium. After the expansions of the 1980s, the Grand Lake Theater had a total of four screens and 1619 seats. The main auditorium is also equipped with a Mighty Wurlitzer organ hidden beneath the floor. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the historical organ rises for a brief concert before the movie. 3D shows are now offered at a lower cost than AMC and other chain theaters.

• Castro Theater, San Francisco, CA

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/scottable"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/scottable">scottable</a>:<br />The Castro Theatre was built in 1922 by pioneer San Francisco theatre entrepreneurs, the Nasser brothers, who started with a nickelodeon in 1908 in the Castro neighborhood.

• The palace, Albany

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels">IronHighHeels</a>:<br />Was very disappointed with the other slides of what were supposed to be beautiful theaters.

• Aberdeen,South Dakota

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels">IronHighHeels</a>:<br />

• Aberdeen,South Dakota

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels">IronHighHeels</a>:<br />

• Tampa

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels">IronHighHeels</a>:<br />

• Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline Massachusetts

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/organic01"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/organic01">organic01</a>:<br />

• The Metro in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mikecuenca"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mikecuenca">mikecuenca</a>:<br />

• San Diego, Spreckles

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels">IronHighHeels</a>:<br />

• the Tower, Sacramento

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels">IronHighHeels</a>:<br />

• The paramount, Charlottesville, VA

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels">IronHighHeels</a>:<br />

• North Park Theater, Buffalo, NY

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/MIKEinNYC"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/profiles/245184-tiny.png?20080821100812" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/MIKEinNYC">MIKEinNYC</a>:<br />North park Theater on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo, NY

• The Calvin, North Hampton, MA

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IronHighHeels">IronHighHeels</a>:<br />

• The Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall, Charlottesville, Virginia

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/journey80"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/journey80">journey80</a>:<br />Built in 1931, the Paramount Theater on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall closed in 1974. Restored to its former glory, The Paramount Theater opened its doors to the public once more on December 15, 2004, more than thirty years after it had closed. The theater is again a much-loved gathering place for Charlottesville and the region.

• The Rose Theatre

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/justraechel"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/justraechel">justraechel</a>:<br />This theater first opened in 1907 in Port Townsend, Washington, though it was renovated and reopened on July 11, 1992. It has become one of the most treasured features of Port Townsend's National Historic District. More information on this theater can be found on their website: www.rosetheatre.com

• Music Box Theater

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Ryan_Sarros"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/1495873003/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Ryan_Sarros">Ryan Sarros</a>:<br />A Chicago Institution. Opened in 1929.

• Temple Theater, Meridian, Mississippi

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/KevinMS"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/KevinMS">KevinMS</a>:<br />Constructed 1923-27 Features a "3 manual 8 rank" Robert Morton theater pipe organ. http://www.templetheatermeridian.org/

• Normal Theater

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/marygomac"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/marygomac">marygomac</a>:<br />Built in 1937, the Normal Theater is located in the heart of uptown Normal. Its art deco style was beautifully preserved during the 1993 community-led restoration effort. The theater shows old movies -- from "It's a Wonderful Life" to "Forbidden Planet" to "The Goonies" and everything in between.

• The Oriental Theater, Milwaukee, WI

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Joshua_D_Wolter"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/501106823/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Joshua_D_Wolter">Joshua D Wolter</a>:<br />The Oriental is Milwaukee's only operating movie palaces, certainly the most beautiful and ornate one that has shown movies for 75 years solid. When the Oriental opened on July 2, 1927, it featured 2 minaret towers, three marvleous stained glass chandeliers, 6 larger-than-life Buddhas, several hand drawn murals, 8 porcelain lions, dozens of original draperies, and hundreds of elephants. In addition, The Oriental Theater is the world record holder for a current and continueing film engagement. The Rocky Horror Picture Show has played as a midnight film since January, 1978. Rocky Horror now shows every second Saturday of the month, to sold out/in costume crowds.

• Academy Theater - Portland, Oregon

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/pugcrawler"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/pugcrawler">pugcrawler</a>:<br />1940s Streamline Moderne theater restored in 2004

• Historic Everett Theatre

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gonzo82"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gonzo82">Gonzo82</a>:<br />Built in 1901, it is the oldest operating theatre in Washington State. It has recently started showing films again.

• Pickwick Theater (Park Ridge, IL)

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Mark_Harker"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/1150530736/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Mark_Harker">Mark Harker</a>:<br />An old Vaudeville theater turned into a movie theater Now on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Anthony Wayne Theatre, Wayne, Pa.

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/radnorhistory"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/radnorhistory">radnorhistory</a>:<br />Opened in 1928, the Anthony Wayne is a landmark of downtown Wayne, Pennsylvania. It was designed by William Harold Lee, who designed many theaters in the Philadelphia area, for manager Harry Fried. Originally one screen, the Anthony Wayne now has five.

• Charles Theater

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/TMAN666"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/1653225191/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/TMAN666">TMAN666</a>:<br />This is the beautiful art deco tiled theater located in Charles City, Iowa. It has even survived an F5 tornado that destroyed much of the town in 1968.

• Charles Theater

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/TMAN666"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/1653225191/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/TMAN666">TMAN666</a>:<br />This is the beautiful art deco tiled theater located in Charles City, Iowa. It has even survived an F5 tornado that destroyed much of the town in 1968.

• Alameda Theater

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/kattjones"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/kattjones">kattjones</a>:<br />Alameda Theater in Alameda, CA

• Keith Albee Theater, Huntington WV

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/PeterTheChanter"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/PeterTheChanter">PeterTheChanter</a>:<br />A great old theater.

• The Plaza Theater, Lamar, Missouri

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Andrew_Bary"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/177500276/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Andrew_Bary">Andrew Bary</a>:<br />In the same city as the birthplace of Harry S. Truman lies The Plaza Theater, restored to brilliance in the early 90's by a grassroots fundraising effort in the community of less than 5,000.

• The Plaza Theater, Lamar, Missouri

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Andrew_Bary"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/177500276/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Andrew_Bary">Andrew Bary</a>:<br />In the same city that gave birth to Harry S Truman lies the Plaza Theater, opened on October 25, 1934. This theater was damaged in a fire in 1985 but in 1998 was restored after a 5 year fundraising effort put on by members of the community in Lamar.

• Mayan Theater -Denver, CO

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Byron_F_Graham"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/73004460/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Byron_F_Graham">Byron F Graham</a>:<br />Around since 1930 but abandoned for several decades, the Mayan Theater is now a branch of Landmark Cinemas, and remains the best place to see a movie in Denver.

• Colonial Theater

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/tomarlevin"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/tomarlevin">tomarlevin</a>:<br />Belfast, Maine

• Capitol Theatre

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/codeman104"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/codeman104">codeman104</a>:<br />The Capitol Theatre in Downtown Burlington, Iowa

• Hutchinson Fox Theater, Hutchinson Kansas

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Nathan_Guy"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Nathan_Guy">Nathan Guy</a>:<br />The State Movie Palace of Kansas

• Hutchinson Fox Theater, Hutchinson Kansas

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Nathan_Guy"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Nathan_Guy">Nathan Guy</a>:<br />