On August 7, 1934 during a special session of the Susanville City Council they condemned the Liberty Theater, after state inspectors stated it was unsafe. Two day’s later the theater would close, and it was only fitting the film shown that day was “The Party’s Over.” It should be noted that the Liberty was built in 1921 and in 1924 it was purchased by T & D Enterprises.

In late September, demolition began on the Liberty Theater and it was announced a new theater would be built on the site of the old one, to be named Sierra Theater. Construction on the concrete re-inforced theater began in October, and the owners noted it was earthquake proof, the first of its kind in Susanville. On Friday, March 8, 1935 a grand opening was held for $75,000 theater. The first showing was appropriately a film named, “The Whole Town’s Talking.”

Fast forward to August 2024, when Sierra Theater closed its door for financial reasons. The Susanville Symphony had its eye on the building for a performing arts center. Negotiations for funding to purchase the property began between the Symphony and the City of Susanville, but they fell apart. Then in late July 2025, the Susanville Performing Arts Center was organized as a non-profit to undertake the task of the acquisition. In the meantime, the theater has been reopened for the summer.

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