Ross Ragland Theatre

218 N. 7th Street,
Klamath Falls, OR 97601

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Related Websites

Ross Ragland Theater (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Mann Theatres

Architects: William Bernard David

Functions: Live Theater, Movies (Classic)

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Esquire Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 541.884.8574
Manager: 541.884.8574

Nearby Theaters

Ross Ragland Theater, Klamath Falls, OR -- July 2011

The Esquire Theatre was opened on November 30, 1940 with Gary Cooper in “The Westerner”. This 790 seat community theatre was saved from the wrecking ball in 1989 by three kindly old men. The Ross Ragland Theatre was named after one of those great men in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Klamath Falls used to have several vaudeville houses.

Contributed by Paul Warshauer

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 26, 2005 at 3:39 pm

Here is a photo of another theater called the Rainbow in Klamath Falls. The date is 1941:
View link

This 1944 photo shows a partially hidden marquee which appears to say “Street” as part of the thater’s name:
View link

valvann
valvann on December 26, 2005 at 4:19 pm

My guess on that last name is either plain “TREE” or “THE TREE” or maybe “PINE TREE” as clearly there isn’t another letter after “TREE” (so it can’t be “STREET”), because there is a dividing band above the “T” and whatever letter (if it is one) or decorative object is above the “T”; and also because up and down the right side of the sign there are little triangular tree symbols, like Christmass trees. Klamath Falls was after all logging country.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 26, 2005 at 4:36 pm

You may be right on that, upon further review.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 29, 2005 at 5:38 pm

Here is a photo of the Esquire, circa 1948:
View link

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on April 21, 2009 at 11:24 am

Was Ross Ragland any relation to Rags Ragland, the vaudeville and burlesque comic and clown of the 1930s and 1940s?

Mikeyisirish
Mikeyisirish on June 26, 2012 at 10:25 am

A few 2011 photos can be seen here and here.

George Kramer
George Kramer on May 26, 2016 at 2:55 pm

This was George M. Mann theatre when it opened in 1940. William David, of San Francisco, was credited as the architect. The interiors were by Miguel Santocono, “noted decorator,” who worked on the murals for three months, according to newspaper accounts.

KenLayton
KenLayton on May 26, 2016 at 7:38 pm

I’m curious too and wonder if Ross is related to film comic Rags Ragland?

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on September 29, 2021 at 12:14 pm

The actual opening date is November 30, 1940 with Gary Cooper in “The Westerner”, along with a performance by Matty Malneck and his Orchestra, A subject: “Fly Fishing” (not sure if its part of either a sportsreel or a Grantland Rice Sportlight, not sure yet), A cartoon: Max Fletcher’s Gabby in “The Constable”, and a newsreel.

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