The theater opened on Wednesday, December 3, 1913, by H. L. Whitehead of Idle Hour Amusement Company. The theater was erected by the Guthrie-Thompson Company at a cost of $15,000. The house had 525 seats and “every appliance to make a perfect picture”. The theater ran as a 10-cent house and showed films from the General Film Company.
Irvington citizens were asked to submit names for the theater to a committee composed of Judge Charles J. Orbison, J. W. Putnam, and Charles M. Cross.
The theater was originally built as a single-story theater in a Spanish style with an oriental motif.
Today, the Irving Theater is a former turn-of-the-century neighborhood movie house that has been closed for most of the past 30 years. The Irving is being given new life as a multi-purpose entertainment venue. The Irving is a versatile space for movies, a wide variety of music and theatrical productions as well as receptions, ceremonies, lectures, and other private and public events. The theater is about 5,000 square feet of space including a Green Room, stage, restrooms, and entry. Capacity for most configurations is 600 theater seating or standing room and 400 banquet style seating.
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