Anaconda · See
Washoe Theater
Art Deco movie palace on Anaconda's Main Street, finished in 1931, opened in 1936, and still showing first-run movies on one screen.
At a glance
Movie theater in Anaconda, Montana, established 1936. Open.
- Status
- Open
- Address
- 305 Main St., Anaconda, MT, 59711
- Town
- Anaconda
- Region
- Southwest Montana
- Established
- 1936
- Phone
- 406-563-6161
- Why it's still old school
- Started in 1931, opened in 1936 with The Texas Rangers, and showed The Texas Rangers again for its 90th birthday in 2026. Still $7 a ticket.
- Page updated
The Washoe sits at 305 Main Street in Anaconda. According to the Historic American Buildings Survey, construction began in 1931 and the Depression held up the opening until September 24, 1936. B. Marcus Priteca of Seattle designed it. Gus Forseen, a Missoula contractor, built it. The survey credits Hollywood artist Nat Smythe with the interior designs and members of the Anaconda Painters Local with much of the wall and ceiling work, done in pastels and eight shades of gold leaf.
Cinema Treasures lists the first feature as The Texas Rangers with Fred MacMurray. The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
It is still a working movie house. The fall 2026 calendar on the theater’s site shows a new release most nights at $7 for adults and $6 for kids, with $6 Sextet Nights. On September 24, 2026, the Washoe marked its 90th anniversary by showing The Texas Rangers again, free.
If you’re nearby, stop in and keep them busy.
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Still Old School: The Washoe in Anaconda
Anaconda's Art Deco movie palace took five years and a Depression to finish. It opened in 1936 and turned 90 in 2026 still selling $7 tickets.
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