Rivoli Theater

Built in the 1920s


STewards of yesterday

Rivoli Theater

The Rivoli Theater was built in the 1920s by the Bradley's and later owned by the Harvey's (eventually renamed the Sea Vu Theater).


The Sohler's owned a rooming house and confectionary south of the theater which the  Harvey's combined with the theater building. Kay Harvey had a real estate and insurance office next to the theater.


The Theater was operated by Claude (Dude) Smith from 1950-54.

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  • A vintage, low-slung building with large windows and cars parked in front, likely a business on a corner.

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The building was torn down in 1956 and the Clothes Hanger was build in its place by Ken and Jo Christensen in 1965. The back portion was utilized as an office for Mayor Ken Christensen. Currently, the building houses SAI Design & Build LLC, and the front area is home to Simply Charming, a vintage shop.

"Every once in a while, they would show 3D movies. The scariest movies were It Came From Outer Space, a huge mossy covered eyeball, and The Creature of the Black Lagoon. After watching this movie, I was aqua diving in Lake Lytle, and was underneath on the east side of the lake. All of a sudden, I started thinking about The Creature, and I got out of the lake as fast as I could swim." - Rockaway Beach Historian Don Best

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