Few buildings can boast the storied history of the Rialto Theater in Florence, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in September. According to a Florence Paradox article dates Sept. 20, 1923, the theater officially opened on Sept. 25 of the same year for the express purpose of showing silent films. Built by Richard and Sultana Elhage, it cost $55,000 to construct and the opening night featured "The Merry-Go-Round," according to a Florence Citizen article from Sept. 26, 1923. The theater held 800 seats when it first opened, but after being open less than a decade, entered its first major renovation. This resulted in the installation of the front marquee, ticket booth, and rearrangement of the front lobby; it was touted to be "one of the handsomest and most modern playhouses in the West."
