![2009-0610-006-ColumbiaHeights-TheHeights](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/2009-0610-006-ColumbiaHeights-TheHeights.jpg)
The Heights Theater is a historic theater in
Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Columbia Heights is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 19,496 at the 2010 census.
Minnesota State Highways 47 (University Avenue) and 65 (Central Avenue) are two of the main routes in the city.
Columbia H ...
. The Theater touts itself as "the Twin Cities longest continuously operated show house."
Location
It is located at 40th and Central.
History
The theater was built in the
Beaux Arts style in 1926. According to the theater's website, "The Heights has survived at least three fires, one bombing and "The Big Blow of 1949" when a Fridley tornado twisted the tower sign.
[Heights Theatre]
/ref> " The Heights Theater originally ran vaudeville acts as well as first-run movies.
During the 1980s and early 1990s the theater was left in disarray though it remained open. It ran late run movies at a discount price. The City of Columbia Heights supposedly recommended the theater to be condemned. Renovations began in the mid 1990s. Tom Letness and David John Holmgren purchased the theater in 1998. The two men, who also owned the neighboring Dairy Queen, finished renovations at The Heights.
They reintroduced a Wurlitzer
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to as simply Wurlitzer, is an American company started in Cincinnati in 1853 by German immigrant (Franz) Rudolph Wurlitzer. The company initially imported stringed, woodwind and brass instruments ...
Pipe Organ courtesy of local radio station WCCO-AM
WCCO (830 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and owned by Audacy, Inc. Its studios and offices are located on Second Avenue South in Downtown Minneapolis. WCCO features a talk radio format, with frequent newscasts ...
.Cinema treasures: Heights Theater
/ref> The renovation also included the addition of "antique chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling restored with 2600 Egyptian lead crystals",[ as well as new carpet, remodeled bathrooms and a new lobby. The outside of the theater was renovated thanks to the theater's original blueprints that were discovered by the University of Minnesota.
Today the theater runs first-run films as well as special events. The Heights Theater also adorns the street light banners that welcome people to Columbia Heights.
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References
Theatres completed in 1926
Cinemas and movie theaters in Minnesota
Buildings and structures in Anoka County, Minnesota
1926 establishments in Minnesota
Public venues with a theatre organ
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