neon marquee of the historic gem theater in pioche nevada

Looking for a taste of real-deal, Wild West history? With a rough-and-tumble past that rivaled Tombstone and Dodge City, the Old West roots in Pioche run deep. Situated in southeastern Nevada’s Lincoln County, the town sprang to life when silver was discovered in the 1870s—and many buildings from those days still stand tall today. Stroll down Pioche’s historic Main Street and prepare to be dazzled by the Gem Theater.

Built in 1937 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024, the Gem Theater continues to shine.

Originally located within the next-door Thompson’s Opera House, the Gem Theater was a single-screen cinema built specifically for film. It was constructed in 1937 during the Golden Age of Hollywood, when silent movies and “talkies” became massively popular forms of entertainment. Thompson’s appeal declined, and the opera house eventually closed in the 1940s. The Gem, however, continued to flourish.

The 250-seat venue screened movies for 65 years until a 2002 windstorm blew the theater’s roof off and caused major damage. Despite repairs, the Gem remained shuttered for nearly 20 years. In 2020, after falling in love with the theater’s architecture and hillside location, Melissa Clary founded the non-profit Friends of Gem Theater, dedicated to restoring and reopening the jewel of Pioche.  

Visiting The Gem Theater Today

While the Gem Theater is not open to the public (yet), it remains a striking icon worth seeing from the outside. The neon marquee on the Art Deco building’s exterior has been meticulously restored, and seeing it light up the heart of Pioche makes locals and visitors alike swell with pride. Inside, Clary has found original film equipment, box office furnishings, and even a “sob room” for soothing crying babies. 

artistic rendition of the historic gem theater
Gem Theater Watercolor by Mary Felker

Friends of Gem Theater has two goals: Return the Gem to its original movie house glory and bring the bustle back to Pioche’s Main Street. Restoration donations can be made online, and sales of an original Gem Theater watercolor print by artist Mary Felker benefit the non-profit as well.

Hours:

Gem Theater renovations are in progress, and the historic venue is not yet open for moviegoers. Visit the Gem Theater’s website for the latest updates.

This Location:

Central, Nevada

City

Pioche

Region

Central