History of the Ritz
Please send your memories and photos of the Ritz to the Arts Council!
email: info@tooelecityartscouncil.com
The Ritz Theater opened in early 1938, replacing a previous Ritz Theater. During World War Two, bond rallies were often held at the theater, complete with speakers, movies, and a bond queen contest. Other speakers and live events were held at the theater occasionally throughout the years in addition to movies. In the late 1950s, there is an ad often seen in the Tooele Transcript newspaper from Allen’s Food Town for 35-cent movie tickets with the purchase of at least $3.00 of groceries.
KDYL Tooele began airing in 1955 with the call sign KTUT, originally broadcasting from the Ritz Theater on Main Street. The station was renamed re-branded KDYL in the mid-1960s and was purchased by Wendell Winegar, who moved it across Main to the building that now houses the LA Hispanic Market at the corner of Vine.
During the "space race" of the 1960s a mural was painted in the main theater of the Ritz, which remains intact as a tribute to the era.
In 1962 Ralph Bradshaw bought the Ritz from Sam Gillette. Alan Bradshaw grew up working there and met his wife, Micki there. Alan soon took over the family business.
The alleyway was built over and made into a second theater in 1970s. This remodel added in 70s features like paneling, and an orange pleather wall.
In 2015, the community raised money to purchase a digital projector because the movie industry had stopped distributing film-based movies. Because just one digital projector could be purchased, the second theater was shut down.
By the early 21st century, the building served as a dollar theater and post-COVID struggled to stay open. It closed officially in June of 2023. In Dec of 2023, the Aaron Peterson Family and the Peterson Industrial Group purchased the Ritz Theater from the Bradshaw’s. It was then donated to the Tooele City Arts Council to preserve and restore for the community as a performing arts venue.
We are extremely grateful to the Bradshaw Family for keeping the Ritz alive for all these years and for the Peterson Family for ensuring it’s lasting legacy!!
Art Deco Style
Art Deco style is one of the easiest to identify since its sharp-edged looks and stylized geometrical decorative details are so distinctive. The development of this architectural style was an intentional break with past precedents in an effort to embody the ideas of the modern age. You can see Art Deco styling throughout the Ritz Theater.
Original Doors
These theater doors are original to the building. Throughout the Ritz Theater you can see items that have been preserved. Soon we’ll be putting in the Ritz Museum to have on display other items from the theater’s past.
Lath and Plaster Walls
Before drywall, lath and plaster was the method used to make walls. Lath and plaster walls were common in the 1930s. This wall in the Ritz Theater can be seen through the exit at the side of the stage.
