Princess Theatre
1310 Tower Avenue,
Superior,
WI
54880
1310 Tower Avenue,
Superior,
WI
54880
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The Princess Theatre was opened in 1913 as the Theatre Princess. It was closed in 1929, and was remodeled and reopened in 1930 as the Princess Theatre.
In 1952, the Princess Theatre was closed and remodeled again, reopening as the Superior World Theatre. It closed a few years later, and by 1958, it had been converted into a photography studio. It has housed Frankie’s Tavern since the 1970’s.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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From the Superior Business Improvement District Walking Tour (http://www.freewebs.com/100yearssuperior/Tour%202008.pdf): “Princess Theater, 1310 Tower Avenue (Frankie’s Tavern): In late 1913, a new landmark was constructed at 1310 Tower Avenue – the Theater Princess. It was built at a cost of $50,000 under the supervision of architect John O. Bach. The Superior Telegram of November 25, 1913 reported that, “no money was spared by the proprietors,” and special features of the building included fireproof construction, superior sanitary and ventilation systems, and separate “retiring rooms” for men and women. Dressing rooms were built below the stage, as the “Princess” was designed to show both movies and vaudeville productions.
The ornate exterior of the Princess featured a marquee (canopy) built by Superior Iron Works and Carlson Bros., both of Superior. The building was quite well lit at night, including a string of linotype lights around the flag pole at the top. The interior was designed by the well-known firm of Broschi-Minuti of St. Paul. Extensive plaster relief work was finished in a color scheme of ivory and Roman gold.
The Theater Princess gradually came to be the Princess Theater. It was remodeled and reopened in 1930 (after being closed for a year), and a $10,000 RCA Photophone projection system and reflecting screen were installed. The new Princess received new seats, carpets, drapes, and carpeted theater boxes featuring chairs manufactured by South Superior’s Webster Chair Factory. In addition, “like the new crack trains, steamships and hotels,” a smoking room was installed “for the ladies.” The remodeled Princess’ first movie was “Holiday”, starring Ann Harding, Mary Astor, Edward Everett Horton, and Hedda Hopper. Evening admission for adults was thirty-five cents.
In 1952, the Princess was remodeled again, and renamed the Superior World Theater. The exterior was changed to chrome and brick, and the interior received a rubber tile floor and leatherette pressed wood covering on the walls. The World didn’t last very long, and closed in the mid-1950s. In 1958, the building was occupied by Millard Berg Photography. Current occupant Frankie’s Tavern has been in the building since the late 1970’s."