William Thomas "Tom" Pickrell built a livery stable, or "Hotel de Hoss," on this site in 1867 and ran it for 11 years. He replaced that store in 1887 with the 50-foot, or double storefront, building that stands here now. Many businesses occupied rooms on its two floors, including millinery shops, barber shops, billiard parlors, tobacco stores, attorney's offices, real estate offices, and the Prohibitionist Guardian newspaper. In 1905, Pickrell family friend Fred Beeler rented an upstairs space to show moving pictures. Over time, the operation expanded as movies grew in popularity until the theater, originally known as the Bijou and later the Crystal, took over the entire building. Only fires and renovations have temporarily halted the showing of movies in this theater, now called the Plaza. It is believed to be the longest-operating cinema in America.