Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 158. FRANK D. BLIGH Successfully following in the business footsteps of his father, Frank D. Bligh has given to Salem a theater of which the city may well be proud and which typifies the progressive spirit of the west. A native of Canada, he was born December 20, 1890, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and his parents, T. G. and Anna (McConnell) Bligh, were also born in the Dominion. They were early settlers of Winnipeg and migrated to the province of British Columbia in 1898. For four years T. G. Bligh was the proprietor of a hotel in Vancouver and in 1902 he brought his family to the United States. Locating in Portland, Oregon, he was there engaged in the real estate business for six years and in 1908 opened the Star Theater in Salem. This was the first ten-cent show house in the city and had a seating capacity of one hundred and ninety-seven. In 1912 he established the Bligh Hotel, provided with sixty guest rooms, and in the same year opened the Bligh Theater, which contained five hundred seats. It was closed in 1927 and the Star Theater was sold in 1912. He also owned the Mascot Theater, with seating accommodations for two hundred and fifty persons, and the Bligh, formerly known as the Klinger Grand Theater, provided with three hundred and fifty seats. He added the Liberty to his chain of theaters, and for six years was the owner of the house, which had five hundred seats. He was one of the foremost business men of the city and left the deep impress of his individuality upon the history of its development. In November, 1925, when fifty-four years of age, he was fatally injured in an automobile accident. His widow still makes her home in Salem. Frank D. Bligh received his early instruction in Vancouver, British Columbia, and completed his studies in the public schools of Oregon. In 1908, when eighteen years of age, he became associated with his father, under whom he received thorough training in the hotel and theatrical business, and gradually assumed heavier responsibilities. In 1926 the son erected an imposing building of concrete, brick and terra cotta which constitutes one of the chief architectural ornaments of Salem. It is situated on State street and covers a quarter of a block. The structure is fireproof and contains twelve stores and thirty-five rooms designed for offices. It houses the New Bligh Capitol Theater, which has twelve hundred seats and the largest stage in the northwest. The house has twelve exits and great care has been taken to avoid the possibility of accidents. Good taste is reflected in the appointments of the theater, which is artistically decorated, and its patrons are entertained with high class vaudeville acts and the best productions of the silver screen. The business is efficiently managed and a high standard of service is maintained. Mr. Bligh was married July 1, 1912, in Salem, to Miss Mildred Rhodes and they became the parents of two children : Donald Gregor, deceased; and Margaret Ann. Mr. Bligh is an adherent of the republican party and belongs to the Ad Club and the Illihee Country Club. Along- fraternal lines he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masons. In the latter organization he has attained the thirty-second degree and is one of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, while he is also connected with the Grotto. Generous and broad-minded, he is always eager to foster a worthy cause and for nineteen years has brightened the lives of the inmates of the Oregon State Penitentiary with entertainment at Thanksgiving, Christmas and on New Year's day. Mr. Bligh is a young man of proven worth and ability and enjoys the esteem of many friends. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.