The Delight Theatre
NE Corner of 5th and 12th Ave
(The First Theatre In Estevan)
Opened around 1910,
 built and operated by Lin Lundquist,
later operated by Miss Ruby Gleiser,
 and others.

Theatre was Owned
by the Kinna Family at one time.

The theatre was sold and used as
Estevan's First Hospital
until it partially burnt down.

Clarendon Hotel was Next Door
to the east, and suffered heavy damage
when the theatre burnt down.

Aug 2009
view where the old hospital stood
today Parkway Service
 

1939 view of 4th St.
looking east from 12th Ave.

Aug 2009 side view

The Theatre was opened Apr 6, 1914.

Located  on the extreme left
 in picture above,
at 1235 4th St.
Orpheum was built in 1913-14
by Mr. (Harry) Henry Emerson McKenzie
also known as Mac.

b- Feb 1880 in Ontario Canada in 1911 census..
d- Nov 4,1917 in Rochester, Minnesota.
(Lake Minnetonka)
Buried there, in Groveland Cemetery
Section 1, Lot 17, grave 4.
His grave says born in 1877.
so obviously the 1911 date is wrong.
He was a member of the Masons.
Shown as a contractor in 1911 census.

The Theatre was owned by himself,
 and his partner,
Frederick (Fred) William Newcombe,

b- Jan 1879
in Maine USA, who came to Canada in 1910.
Shown as a brick man in 1911 census.
Fred became mayor of Estevan 1919-1920

One of the first operators,
could have been
Mr. Herbert Edwin Brennen.
His family history says he was there
from 1912-1919.
The dates might be a bit off,
but he no doubt was there.
 

In 1917 the theatre was used on Sundays
for the Presbyterian church service.

I remember as a kid going to the special
Saturday Christmas Matinee.
We would get a visit from Santa,
and a goody bag.
In the bag a real treat for me,
was the Japanese orange.

Neon clock on the wall.
Look at Facebook today,
and the favourite building
with the younger generation,
next to the Court House,
is the old Orpheum Theatre.

Harry (Mac) McKenzie's widow,
Jennie June McKenzie (nee Mill),
b- July 6, 1889-  d- July 23, 1980
operated the theatre for many years,
following the wishes of her husband,
from his death bed.
She is buried in the
 Estevan City Cemetery.

Orpheum was owned by ECI Alumni,
J. Duane McKenzie ca 1950-1965
and the F. Muss family ca 1965-1990,
then A. King ca 1990-?.
Earl Muss- 1996

My Mother during the early 60's, was a janitor
at the theatre, and worked for Mr. McKenzie.

2009- Famous Players theatre,
with Dolby sound.

Orpheum Theatre Ad

 
Miss Ruby Gleiser
She was the First woman in Saskatchewan,
to have a licence to operate
a movie picture projector.
As well the first to have
a chauffeur licence.
She operated a 5 cent fee taxi service.
She was elected President
 of the Rebekah Assembly of Sask. in 1929
In 1936, in New York, became President of the
International Association
of Rebekah Assemblies.
 She received the highest award in the order,
the Declaration of Chivalry.
She was born May 24, 1891.
(May 1891 in Ont., in 1901 census)
(May 1891 in Milverton in 1911 census)
 Definitely born in Milverton, Manitoba.
Living with her Father and Mother,
Henry (Harry) and Sophia Gleiser
in Brandon MB. in 1901.
her dad owned the Palace Hotel
1904- Aug 14,1907 in Oxbow.
The fire on Aug 14, 1907 almost
wiped out Oxbow down town.

Henry (Harry) then built the Alexandra Hotel,
He operated it 1908-1913
and Mar 9, 1919- Feb 18, 1927,
 also in Oxbow.
Henry died Feb 18, 1927,
and then Ruby owned the Hotel,
from 1927-1935.
Her brother Percy was the Jeweller in Oxbow,
with a store in the Hotel.
She learned that trade from him, as well,
and even managed the store for a year,
 after her brother passed away.
She worked for Stokes Jewellery store in Estevan.
ca 1908-1910, She played hockey in Oxbow,

as well as clarinet in the ladies band, in Oxbow.
She was also a saxophone soloist
with the Estevan Band
on a western Canada tour..

She also was an excellent shooter.
She worked for the Souris Valley Creamery,
 for many years.
She owned the Estevan Dairy.
She was on the Executive
of the Provincial and Federal Liberal parties.
She died Aug 21, 1953 in Estevan.
Her funeral was in Estevan.
She is buried in the Oxbow Cemetery.
Where her parents are buried.
Her dad was shown as a traveller in 1901.

She lived for many years,
with Miss Helen Rattray,
a long time school teacher at ECI.
They lived 4 doors west of 1313 2nd St.
on the north side of the street.

Aug 2009

Located Just east of the train overpass
Between the train tracks,
adjacent, to the West,
and Highway 39, (Service Road),
adjacent, to the north,
on the East end of the city.
Sitting in your cars you faced west.
That way the setting sun would not
shine on the screen.
Show time was at Dusk.
2 speakers on on one metal post.
One car on each side.
Speakers were on coiled cords,
in metal boxes with a hook on the back
which would then hang on the inside
of the drivers window.
On the front a volume control.
No Stereo or Dolby sound then.

It was owned by Dale Abbott,
and G. Giem, ca 1955,
then Dale Abbott ca 1965,
and Don Outhwaite ca 1980.

Car capacity from 200-383
depending on what book you read.

The drive-ins were known for their corny
go to the snack stand commercials.

Mosquitos, and driving away
with the speaker still on the window,
were common occurances.
 

Souris Valley Theatre

Operating in the summer, since 1990

Located down at the Souris River,
on the North side of the river,
adjacent to Woodlawn Regional Park.
Originally located in a large tent
to the NW of the
Old Estevan Swimming Pool.
A new building now houses this troupe.

Known for their live historical plays,
First performance- Volstead Blues.