Columbia City Theater

The Columbia City Theater was built in 1917 and is the oldest vaudeville theater in the state of Washington.  Having played a major role in the Seattle Jazz boom in the 40′s, the theater played host to the likes of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Fats Waller. During the 50′s he theater served as a neighborhood movie theater (pictured above), where residents of Columbia City have recalled attending Saturday morning movies for kids like Flash Gordon and the Our Gang series.  Later on during the 60′s the theater began hosting live events once more and is reportedly one of the first venues that the legendary Jimi Hendrix performed in.

During the early 80′s it was a home for much of the DIY punk movement and the touring networks that were created to support it. It has since been an art commune, and a place that specifically hosted raves in more recent years under the name “The Lish House”.