Prior to the construction of the Lido Theatre, movies were shown in the old 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 community center, including the off sale liquor store, was sold to a private party after completion of the new Arlington Community Center on Highway 5.)  

The Lido Theatre was opened in 1949.  It was built in the Streamline Moderne style.  Streamline Moderne, sometimes referred to by either name alone, was a late type of the Art Deco design style, which emerged during the 1930s. Its 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 web page.

▪Porthole windows

▪Chrome hardware

▪Smooth wall surfaces, usually stucco (smooth plaster finish)

▪Flat roof with coping

▪Horizontal grooves or lines in walls

▪The Art/Streamline Moderne style used subdued colors. Base colors were typically light earth tones, off-whites or beiges, and trim colors were typically 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 Historical Society led a fundraising drive to restore the Lido Theater marquee to its original condition.  This project was successfully completed during the summer of 2010.  The restored marquee is featured on our homepage.