Old Liberty Theater

Location: 115 N Main Avenue

Restored from a theater originally constructed in 1946 and named in its honor, the Old Liberty Theater is now home to a community centered coffee shop, Season’s, and serves as a live performing arts venue.

Movies in Ridgefield

Movie Theaters had a rough start in Ridgefield. When motion pictures first came to town in 1912 they were shown in Shobert & Oliver Skating rink. The first formal theater in the city, the Glide Amusement Hall, opened in the early teens at present day 304 Pioneer Street. In January 1916, a fire burned several blocks of downtown Ridgefield and destroyed the amusement hall. A new theater, the Sunset Theater, located at 104 S 4^th Street, held a grand opening on May 24^th 1919. Fire struck again and the building was destroyed just two years later on September 3, 1921.

O.E. Foley, owner of movie theaters in Yacolt and Battle Ground, decided to build a theater in Ridgefield that would be nearly fire-proof. The design for the theater was for a 28x80 foot building with a brick front and seating for two hundred and fifty. The Foley Theater, located at 328 Pioneer Street, held its first movie on November 19, 1921. It remained in business until the late thirties and the building still stands at what is now Ridgefield Floral & Gifts.

Photo: Historical image of Pioneer Street looking west with buildings on either side. Photo is labeled 'First Theater (Brick on R) Pioneer St Facing West (4th and Pioneer) circa late 1920s.

A New Theater in the Works

James and Sue Hicks opened Ridgefield’s Liberty Theater on April 25, 1946 after nearly six months of delays and a devastating tragedy. The Hicks built the theater as a coming-home present for their son, Frank, an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve during WWII. Tragically, Ensign Hicks died in a plane crash near the end of the war. The Hicks endured, welcoming moviegoers into their new theater, which showed first-run pictures during its opening weeks. The first film featured was “The Bandit of Sherwood Forest.” The Liberty hosted community benefits and events, including Ridgefield’s 40^th anniversary. Beyond big bashes, many residents remember catching Saturday westerns on the silver screen.

Considered the largest business building in town when it opened, the Liberty Theater could seat 350 people. The Hicks operated the Liberty Theater until around 1951 when they sold the building. It was repurposed and occupied by a silkscreen business, yard shop, and other businesses over the next couple decades.

Photo: July 4th Parade, 1991 in front of what is now Old Liberty Theater.

The Liberty’s Second Act

Don and Earleen Griswold bought the nearly 50-year-old cinema in 1995, focused on restoration. The Griswolds updated it to be a community-focused coffee shop, gathering place and live performing arts venue. With a new look and name, the Old Liberty Theater welcomed musicians from around the globe, provided space for emerging artists and hosted local events such as bluegrass concerts for “BirdFest & Bluegrass” and Santa for “Hometown Celebration.” For their work in preserving the story of the historic movie house, Don and Earleen Griswold received Ridgefield’s Outstanding Citizen Award in 2009.

Photo: Don and Earleen Griswold stand with Mayor Ron Onslow accepting the Outstanding Citizen Award in 2009.

Photo: A group of people celebrating Ridgefield's centennial stand in front of Old Liberty Theater under a sign that reads 'Happy Birthday Ridgefield.'