Historical Marker · No. 36381
El Rio Theatre
Springerville — 20, Apache County County · Arizona
Erected by Round Valley Positive Action Tourism Committee and Springerville-Eagar Chamber of Commerce
Even a remote ranching town wanted moving pictures. Built around 1915 as the Apache Theatre, this adobe movie house first showed silent films by hand-cranked projector, the flicker of the outside world reaching Round Valley on a canvas screen. Renamed the El Rio in 1937 as sound and color arrived, it was the valley's first theatre and has kept running ever since, original popcorn machine and all. In a town better known for cattle and cooperation, the little cinema is a reminder that Springerville wanted entertainment as much as anywhere else.
What the plaque says
El Rio Theatre. Built c.1915 and originally called the Apache Theatre, this adobe movie house once showed silent flickers with a hand-cranked projector. Renamed the El Rio in 1937, Round Valley's first theatre is still operating with its original popcorn machine.
Where it stands
34.13387, -109.28616 · Directions
Worth the stop nearby
- Casa Malpais — 0.3 miThe Mogollon great house on the lava, and the catacombs sealed back shut
- Mount Baldy — 22 miDzil Ligai Si'an, the sacred White Mountain, and the summit you stop short of
More markers nearby
- Madonna of the Trail — steps away
- Baca Home — steps away
- Becker's Transcontinental Garage — steps away
- Arizona Cooperative Mercantile Institution — steps away