The Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre's long history began over ninety years ago with Frederick Mercy, Sr.'s vision of a grand vaudeville theatre located in downtown Yakima. Construction on his dream project began in 1919. He commissioned renowned theatre architect B. Marcus Pretica, the architect of choice for the great vaudeville impresario Alexander Pantages, to construct his theatre. Another Pantages favorite, A. B. (Tony) Heinsbergen, was hired to create the decorative murals that graced the theatre's interior. The April 5, 1920 opening performance of Maytime brought audiences in droves to see Yakima's showcase. At that time, the Mercy Theatre was the largest theatre in the Pacific Northwest. One year later, the name officially changed to The Capitol Theatre.

Over the years, as interest in motion pictures increased, vaudeville slowly died. The Capitol Theatre went the direction of theatres across the country; opening as a vaudeville house, moving to a combination of vaudeville and movies, becoming a movie theatre, and slowly turning into a shabby shell of its former glory. By the early 1970s, the Mercy family was looking to sell the historic building. Concerned that it may be razed for another parking lot, the Allied Arts Council and local citizens convinced the City of Yakima to purchase the building for a complete restoration, for use as a community arts center. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites and the sale moved forward.

Dedicated to enriching performing arts and entertainment in Central Washington.

Explore Related Categories