Uray Theatre

640 Main Street,
Ouray, CO 81427

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Uray Theatre

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Architects: Ed White, George White

Previous Names: Ouray Theatre

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Uray Theatre

The theater’s name is inconsistent. The 1950 edition of Film Daily Yearbook lists it as the U-Ray Theater. A 1940 photo seen below shows it as the Uray Theatre. The Uray Theatre was opened in 1889. It was still open in 1968.

Contributed by Ken McIntyre

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on September 15, 2019 at 9:41 am

Here’s what is probably another name for this theater in little Ouray, from the June 10, 1959 issue of Motion Picture Daily: “OURAY, Colo., June 9. – A. B. Hilliard, operator of the Chipeta Theatre here and the Nugget Theatre in Telluride, died of a heart attack while visiting in Denver.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on September 17, 2019 at 3:58 pm

Yet another spelling, the expected one, was in this note from Boxoffice, Jan. 8, 1949: “OURAY, COLO. – The Ouray Theatre reopened recently after completion of repairs to damages incurred in a fire about six weeks ago. Repairs included installation of fireproof booths, new projectors and other equipment.” Another note in the same issue mentioned that Les McClary was the manager of the Ouray.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 26, 2019 at 7:05 pm

Circa 1955 photo added as Ouray Theatre, painted on wall left of center. Courtesy Mase Mason.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 26, 2019 at 7:25 pm

The address listed is the Wright Opera House built in 1888, not the Ouray Theatre. In doing a street view based off the 1955 photo I posted, I believe the Ouray Theatre was at 640 Main Street, which today houses Gumpshun Gallery. If you do a search of that address, it appears to be the same building with a heavily updated facade. You can also match up the other buildings from the 1955 photo if you scroll right from there.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 28, 2019 at 6:15 pm

Here is the Shorpy link for the September 1940 photo, which is originally “Theater in Ouray, Colorado”. Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. Be sure to click on “View full size"for incredible detail.

https://www.shorpy.com/node/23759

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on December 6, 2019 at 12:49 pm

Boxoffice, April 15, 1950: “OURAY, COLO. – N. J. Denstitt has leased the Ouray Theatre here from Charles Diller. Denstitt has been in the theatre business in Texas.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on February 9, 2020 at 6:39 pm

Boxoffice, Dec. 5, 1966: Mr. and Mrs. V. L. Wrye have purchased and are opening the Chipeta Theatre at Ouray"

Boxoffice, March 6, 1967: “V. L. Wrye has closed the Chipeta Theatre, Ouray, Colo.”

Boxoffice, May 20, 1968: “Mr. and Mrs. V. L. Wrye will reopen the Chipeta Theatre at Ouray for the summer”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on April 24, 2020 at 11:00 am

Boxoffice, Nov. 20, 1948: “OURAY, COLO. – Theatre Manager Ray David and operater Jerry Joyner were forced to escape from the projection room of the Ouray Theatre through small air vents recently when flames destroyed the booth and equipment. David noticed the fire in the booth during the second show and dashed upstairs to help Joyner. Both men were trapped as the fire raged through thousands of feet of film.”

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