For almost a century, nestled in the heart of Klamath Falls, Oregon, stands a tribute to artistry, community, and resilience: The Ross Ragland Theater. A vibrant thread woven into the fabric of Southern Oregon's cultural identity, the Ross Ragland is more than just a venue.
The Esquire Years
Journeying back to its origins, we find a world of the Silver Screen, where grand movie palaces reigned supreme.
Local businessman George Ross Ragland recognized a need for entertainment and hope amidst the heavy economic challenges of the Great Depression. Construction began, and in 1940, the Esquire Theater opened its doors — and what an architectural marvel it was.
Based in its Art Deco design, the theater sported an enormous marquee, plush seating, and ornate detailing. Moviegoers flocked to the Esquire to experience the latest Hollywood blockbusters, and for decades, the Esquire thrived — showcasing countless films and becoming a beloved gathering place for the community.
However, the entertainment landscape shifted in the late 20th century with the rise of television and multiplex cinemas, and the Esquire faced an uncertain future.
A Community Rescue
But Klamath Falls wouldn't let its beloved theater die. In the 1980s, a dedicated group of community members rallied together with a vision to transform the Esquire from a single-screen movie palace into something even more vital: a community performing-arts theater that could house plays, musicals, concerts, dance, and youth productions.
That transition — from movie house to live-performance home — defined what the building would become for the next generation of Klamath audiences. It was renamed in honor of its founder, becoming the Ross Ragland Theater, and reopened as a nonprofit cultural anchor for the Klamath Basin.
Today — A Cultural Anchor for the Basin
Today, the Ross Ragland Theater hosts dozens of productions a year: touring acts, local theater companies, classical concerts, youth programs, community-driven productions, and original Klamath-staged works. The theater is the home base for Klamath Music's Showcase Series and Festival, Most Excellent Theophilus, the Klamath Symphony, and a steady stream of locally-cast musicals and plays.
This summer brings two major productions to the Ragland stage:
Lights, Camera, Klamath! — July 11–13
Anastasia — July 18–20
Tickets and details at ragland.org · Box office: (541) 884-LIVE (5483)
Why It Matters
Almost a century in, the Ross Ragland is still doing what George Ross Ragland imagined back in 1940: giving Klamath Falls a place to gather, to be entertained, and to celebrate the kind of artistry that defines a community.
The building is in continuous operation because of the people who fought to keep it — and the audiences who keep showing up.
The Ross Ragland Theater · 218 North 7th St., Klamath Falls · (541) 884-5483