Oriental Theater Seat

LOCATION: SE Grand Avenue and Morrison Street

BUILT: 1927               DEMOLISHED: 1970

A look at the side of a theatre seat with ornate decorations.

In 1927 W.E. Tebbets convinced George Weatherly to Build the Oriental Theater next door to his new office building at SE Grand Avenue and Morrison Street. The Theater was designed by architects Lee Thomas and Albert Mercier.

The Oriental seated 5,000 patrons and the interior was decorated in an elaborate East Indian design.

In 1970 The Oriental was demolished and replaced with a parking lot. The $50,000 Wurlitzer organ was moved to the Organ Grinder Restaurant on SE 82nd.

Left: The Oriental Theatre. Center: The Theatre’s grand entrance. Right: The Theatre’s stage.