Prior to the construction of the Lido Theatre, movies were shown in the original Arlington Community Center (Dugout), the large brick building across the street from the Lido.  The old building still sports its original ticket booth, which can be seen from the Main Street entrance.


The Lido opened in 1949.  It was built in the Streamline Moderne style.  Streamline Modern, sometimes referred to by either name alone, was a late type of the Art Deco design style, which emerged during the 1930's.  It architectural style emphasized curving forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements.


Common characteristics of Streamline Moderne

          

     Horizontal orientation


     Rounded edges, corner windows, and glass block walls.  (The Lido's glass blocks form

     the background image of this page.)

     

     Porthole windows

     

     Chrome hardware


     Smooth wall surfaces, usually

     stucco (smooth plaster finish)


     Flat roof coping


     Horizontal grooves or lines in the walls


     Subdued colors.  Base colors were typically light earth tones, off-white or beiges, and

     trim colors were typicallly  bright or dark, to contrast the light color of the walls.


Of the few remaining Art Deco structures in Minnesota, the Minneapolis Armory and the St. Paul Courthouse would be the most famous.


In 2010, the Arlington Histrorical Society led a successful fundraising drive to restore the Lido Theater marquee to its original condition.  The restored marquee is featured on our homepage.

Welcome to the Historic

Lido Theater

Main Street / Arlington, MN

Our History

Since 1949!