Last Day in Longview

We went into Downtown Longview Washington for our last day there and saw the Columbia Theater.

"At one point in 1980, in fact, a contract was signed to demolish the Columbia.  With the countdown to its demise measured in days, it seemed that only an act of God could save the Columbia Theatre.  That act of God came with the eruption of Mount St. Helen's on May 18, 1980."

"The eruption pulled the demolition contractor away to other parts of southwest Washington, and allowed concerned citizens to organize an effort to save the Columbia.  On July 21, 1981, the Columbia Theatre Task Force was created to help save the venue, and although they met with a rough start, their efforts culminated in the sale of the historic theater to the city of Longview on December 9, 1982. 

With a few ups and downs in-between, the Task Force has managed to resurrect the old Columbia, now (in 2003) known as the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts. "

 Contrast in color and deterioration was seen near the theater and caught Sharyn's eye.

 The Downtown has many interesting pieces of art like these founding fathers of Longview...

 ... this great statue...

... this cool metal dog...

...and this even cooler public bench.

 Even the Longview Theater built in 1941 is great and colorful though not a theater any longer.
"The marquee of this historic movie house. It once seated 700 patrons. Its facade is an excellent example of Art Deco, popular in the 1930s"

 Another great sign and Rose Motif

 Lumberman’s Bank Pedestal Clock, 1926. "During its heyday, the bank installed this freestanding clock for the benefit of the entire downtown neighborhood...

 After years of neglect, it was restored by the Longview Public Service Group, a charitable organization also responsible for the interpretive panels ...

 and steam whistle.

Looking back through the Lewis and Clark Bridge from Oregon we can see Longview as a large port complex.