Ashton Theater

8437 Apple Street,
New Orleans, LA 70118

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Additional Info

Architects: Michael R. D'Orsi, Ferdinand Rousseve

Functions: Art Gallery

Nearby Theaters

Ashton Theater

A “nabe” theater in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans. Owned and operated by the Fonseca family, the Ashton Theater opened in 1927. It was designed by Black American (Creole) architect Ferdinand Rousseve, with Michael R. D'Orsi as associate architect. The Ashton Theater was closed in 1958.

The last feature I caught was the movie “The Invisible Boy” with Robbie The Robot as star. After the business closed, my friends and I would sneak into the creepy theater and “explore”.

It still stands today, even after taking seven feet of flood water from Hurricane Katrina. The artist Lyn Emery uses the wonderful old theater as a studio.

Contributed by Michael Rouillier

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

turducken
turducken on March 25, 2008 at 9:34 am

beat me to it. i was going to post the link to my pic.

ArthurHardy
ArthurHardy on June 11, 2010 at 12:13 pm

Announcing a book about New Orleans Movie Theaters

THEREâ€\S ONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
The History of the Neighborhood Theaters in New Orleans
is being written by 89-year-old Rene Brunet, the dean of the motion picture industry in Louisiana, and New Orleans historian Jack Stewart. The 160-page,coffee table book will be released in November and is being published by Arthur Hardy Enterprises, Inc. Attention will be focused on 50 major neighborhood and downtown theaters, culled from a list of nearly 250 that have dotted the cityâ€\s landscape since the first “nickelodeon” opened in 1896 at 626 Canal Street. The book will be divided by neighborhoods and will open with a map and a narrative about each area. Each major theater will feature “then and now” photographs, historic information, and a short series of quotes from famous New Orleanians and from regular citizens who will share their recollections.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
We are trying to acquire memorabilia and additional photos of this theater for this publication. (deadline July 1.) You will be credited in the book and receive a free autographed copy if we publish the picture that you supply. Please contact Arthur Hardy at or call 504-913-1563 if you can help.

NorthWestCarrollton
NorthWestCarrollton on March 7, 2011 at 9:51 am

Theatre designed by African American Architect Rousseve.
See link:
View link
and
Firm:
View link

We are trying to get this theatre on the National Historic Register as an individual listing. Anyone interested in helping please contact

NorthWestCarrollton
NorthWestCarrollton on March 7, 2011 at 10:55 am

Click on the link below and Scroll down to REPRODUCO. This lists the Organs that were used in variousl locations around New Orleans including old theatres.
http://www.ohsno.org/opus_lists/index.htm

jkc5050
jkc5050 on December 1, 2011 at 12:18 pm

I went to school at nearby Incarnate Word on Apricot St. in the 60’s, and though the theater was closed then I believe it was still being used for practice by the N.O. Symphony. I recall much of the school going there for a concert once and it was my first exposure to classical music!

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 28, 2021 at 12:05 pm

Currently for sale.
March 28, 2021.

https://www.nola.com/news/article_54c6c42e-8da9-11eb-8167-032389e2386a.html?fbclid=IwAR2P74X4zb4Coba-pI_DxbjLnYceUHLnRluDXpf6AUjjEFBjKqwd1TKlZsA

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