Bay Theatre
420 Main Street West,
Ashland,
WI
54806
420 Main Street West,
Ashland,
WI
54806
1 person
favorited this theater
The Art Moderne style Bay Theatre, located on Main Street at Fourth Avenue is situated not far from Chequamegon Bay, for which it is named. The once single-screen Bay, which originally seated 650, has since been divided into four auditoriums, but still remains in operation as a first-run movie house. It also still retains its spectacular Moderne-style marquee and vertical sign which dominates the facade of the otherwise nondescript two-story building.
The 1998 film, “A Simple Plan”, was filmed around Ashland and the surrounding area, and had its premiere at the Bay Theatre. The theater is also featured in a 1991 painting by Davis Cone, which can be viewed in the book, “Popcorn Palaces”.
In 2007, two additional screens were made from adjoining buildings.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 17 comments)
The Bay Theater is actually a 6 Plex now. I just discovered this theatre this month while in Ashland on business. They expanded into 2 neighboring buildings. I hope to see a movied there this week. Love the old theatres! Especially ones like this on Main Stree in a historic downtown. I have current pics, if anyone is interested
This is the Bay Theater website.
Here is the Bay Theater in June of 2008.
The Bay Theater in September of 2008 can be seen here.
When I was a student at Northland College (mid 1970s) the Bay saved my sanity MANY a time! It was the ONLY source of first run stuff east of Duluth.
Among first runs I saw there… THE EXORCIST THE GODFATHER THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER BATTLE OF BRITAIN (tho that one was really a re-release) GONE WITH THE WIND (ditto, obviously).
For a Chicago city kid stuck in the Nort Woods for the first time, the Bay was like a lifeboat!
1984 Photo
1987 Photo
1988 Photo
This is a 2009 night photo.
I have a copy of the Davis Cone book, He is from Augusta,Ga. and grew up in the same movie houses he did. A great artist and book.
I have a copy of the Davis Cone book, He is from Augusta,Ga. and grew up in the same movie houses he did. A great artist and book.
2009 photo of the Bay Theatre from J. Strappe.
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