Mack Theater / Cook's Hotel

510 NE 3rd Street  |  Established 1886

Erected in 1886 by L.H. Cook, this stuccoed three-story Italianate structure features bricks fired locally
at Saylor’s brickyard and windows, sashes, doors, and lumber supplied by the Jones and Company Sash
and Door Factory, then located at Third and Davis streets. Local tinsmith O.O. Hodson, working from
his shop at Third and Cowls streets, created the decorative pressed-metal-bracketed cornice and lintels
over the doors and windows and installed the plumbing. The hotel offered twenty-seven guest rooms, a
billiard hall, a large dining room where meals cost twenty-five to fifty cents, a bridal chamber, and a
stylish second-floor parlor illuminated by a beautiful chandelier.

The building became the Westside Hotel in 1890 and the Hotel Yamhill in 1892. In 1896, Joe Dubois and
his father Nathaniel took over operations in 1896, purchasing the hotel in 1899. A 1909 expansion
transformed the original square building into a rectangle, adding four bays along Evans Street and
twelve more rooms. Joe proved a dynamic businessman, while Nathaniel entertained guests with his
constant companions: Pie, a talkative white cockatoo, and Whizzer, a massive St. Bernard. Pie often
startled guests by squawking “Fire, fire, run boys run!” – mimicking the fire fighters who once hauled
their water cart from the station across Evans Street. Whizzer barked enthusiastically to emphasize
Pie’s calls, while ambling through the lobby, delighting children and charming adults.

In 1941 the Mattecheck brothers carved a sleek 500-seat movie theater into the northwest corner,
blending Moderne styling with the older hotel. The Mack Theater quickly became a beloved downtown
gathering place where families enjoyed the latest films amid the buttery scent of popcorn.

Standing near the theater and hotel today, one can almost hear Pie’s mischievous warnings, Whizzer’s
deep barks, and the chatter of moviegoers. This landmark honors generations of hospitality, enterprise,
and community joy. 

For images of the the property, and further details, check out the link below:

Historic Resources Inventory Documentation