This extravagant movie palace was built in 1936 with Art Deco furnishings, murals, and ornamentation in silver, copper and gold leaf. The Washoe, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 1982, was designed by architect B. Marcus Priteca an esteemed theater architect. The Smithsonian Institute has ranked it fifth in the nation for its architectural value.

The Washoe is one of the few remaining theaters of its kind in the country. The previous theater was destroyed by fire in 1929. Not soon after, the Washoe Amusement Company formed to lobby local citizens for the reconstruction of the theater on the site, and the Washoe soon came into being. It cost $200,000 to build.