Historical Timeline
Take a closer look at the pivotal moments that transformed the Huntridge over the past 80 years.
1933
Businessman Leigh S. J. Hunt passes away and leaves land once used as a farm to his son, Henry Leigh Hunt.
1944
Henry Leigh Hunt develops the 950-seat Huntridge Theater and hosts grand opening event on October 10th.
1951
Civil rights activist and president of Nevada Theater Corporation, Lloyd Katz, becomes the operator of the theater and makes it the first racially integrated theater in Nevada.
1957
Theater is refurbished to add a wide screen.
1977-1979
Theater closes its doors for the first time. Local contractor Frank Silvaggio purchases theater from actress Irene Dunne.
1980 - 1981
Theater is partitioned into a 2-screen theater and reopens under the operation of Portland businessman Donald Lesh.
1982
Lesh files for bankruptcy; theater closes again.
1983
Theater reopens under the operation of local cinema operator Robert Garganese Jr, who plans to operate it as a discount movie house.
1989
Theater operations cease yet again.
1992
Sound engineer Richard Lenz creates “Friends of the Huntridge” and begins operating the theater as a live-event venue.
1993
The Huntridge Theater is officially added to the National Register of Historic Places.
1995
The roof collapses during sound check prior to the Circle Jerks concert. The Circle Jerks play a show in the parkng lot, and the theater closes down once more.
1996
Huntridge Theater reopens.
1999
The theater is registered in the State Register of Historic Places.
2004
The Huntridge Theater closes for renovations, but never reopens.
2013
Huntridge Theater revival effort led by two local businessmen raises $207,000, paints exterior upgrades but can’t move further on restoration due to legal issues surrounding the property.
2014 - 2016
State of Nevada sues Mizrachi for breach of grant provisions. The case is later settled.
2021
J Dapper purchases the theater on March 31. On September 1, the theater is added to the City of Las Vegas Historic Register.