The Palmetto Theatre opened in 1949, and closed in 1966, with the building used for other businesses for 50 years. 6 people joined together to purchase the building and have renovated and reopened the Palmetto, replacing the missing theater blad sign and now seating 140 patrons in a space that is used for movies as well as live performance. Their website is: https://palmettowalnutcove.com/calendar-of-events-at-the-palmetto/
I photographed the Times Theater, as it is now referred to, in May 2024 and it is alive and going strong! Here is their website: https://thetimestheater.com/. A beauty of a small town theater, it looked well loved and very active!
Stopped at the New Castle Playhouse and found the venue and the folks working there to be passionate about live theater. They have done tons of work to keep it viable and alive.
New information regarding the theatre architect from the Manager:
“We have an article about the opening of the building from the August 5, 1948 edition of the Herald-Progress that states: “The building was designed by Bernard Spiegel of Norfolk and built by J. Kennon Perrin Co. of Ashland and Richmond, assisted by N.W. Martin and Bro with the air conditioning and heating; L. E. McAllister of Richmond all brick work, Electrical Service of Ashland, all wiring and light fixtures, J. B. Halbleib and Son of Ashland, All plumbing and fixtures.”
Here is more information on Bernard Spiegel: https://hamptonroadscf.org/stories/enid-w-and-bernard-b-spigel-architectural-scholarship-fund
The theater has reopened and seats 220 in two auditoriums for a total of 440. It is owned by the same family that runs a local restaurant, Alburritos Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar.
The theater just a few steps away from the Booker T was the Manhattan Theatre and is now known as the Ritz. The building in between the two was torn down, and that may explain the renumbering of the theater address. Also, Main street is literally within viewing distance of the address on E. Thomas, as it is one block away.
The owners of the West have added two more small screens upstairs that seat 40 people each, bringing the seating capacity now to 336 with two screens below seating 128 each in the two downstairs theatres. They listed the original seating as around 400 but not sure if that included the balcony, which was unused for a time. the original stage and dressing rooms are behind the old screen which is covered up at this time, but they are still intact. Thanks to John Dunn at the West Theatre for this information.
Locals tend to refer to this theatre as the Vic Theatre, which is how it is listed here on Cinema Treasures. Fox built another theatre in town in 1929, and perhaps they did own the Orpheum for a while, but the historic property record does not show that. Here is a link to the State/National historic property record: https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI2226
Either way, it is a lovely example of an Art Deco facade!
I was inside of the Rodgers the week it was sold and being ‘renovated’ in 1990. It was in rough shape all around, but I certainly wish it could have been saved as well. (Especially the marquee!) Photos are what we have. I have a book that is being published by Bauer and Dean publishing for spring 2025 entitled: “America’s Hometown Movie Theaters: Please Remain Standing” which will have 3 photos of the Rodgers.
The Roxy was owned by W.A. Simons Amusement Co, which also built and ran the Wilma, in Missoula Montana. The company also owned the Go West Drive-In, and at one time other theaters. Billy Simons had married Edna Wilma Simons, and after Billy died,Edward Sharp married Edna, who ran the company. Eddie inherited the business after Edna passed away. Here is a website for their story: https://forgottenwilma.com/ Eddie Sharp also wrote a book on his experience of running the theaters and his “Chapel of the Dove” in the basement of the Wilma.
This theater was renovated and was stunning. The owner gave me a tour right after it opened. Unfortunately, it closed again on 11/26/2023. Here is a news story about the theater. I hope that it can be reopened soon because it was a beauty to behold.
Visited this location today and it is now called the Center for Living Arts, a drama/ play center for youth and others. Their website is: https://www.centerforlivingarts.org/
A story from my now deceased neighbor Mrs. Jean Stafford, about the Liberty Theatre:
“The Liberty Theater had a stage, and they put on yearly recitals in the spring and fall there for the local ballet group which I was a part of. Outside of the theater was a sign area for coming attractions for the upcoming shows, and there were photos for the upcoming recital trying to sell tickets. I wanted my mother to take a picture of me by the advertisement, but she never did.
What I liked about the theater were the cowboy shows: twenty cents if you were over 12 years old and fifteen cents if you were under. On Saturday mornings I would try to get by for being younger so that I had five cents left for Cracker Jacks which was a big deal. The woman knew my 12-year-old face, so that didn’t work long. Besides movies, they had acts and I remember when the “Ink Spots” came. One of the guys had a big diamond ring that looked like a spotlight even from the back row. I am sure it was real."
it appears on the Anson-Jones Museum Website that the Palace hosted a movie night for the community on April 20, 2024, with two photographs. Vance Boyd, a local cattle rancher and candidate for the US Congress and his son have been in the news regarding their acquisition of the theater and the hard work they have been putting in to restore it. https://www.facebook.com/ansonjonesmuseum
Howard Larsen was the son of Larry Larsen who was a scenic backdrop painter from Denmark originally. Here is the article about Larry: https://drypigment.net/2022/03/02/sosman-landis-shaping-the-landscape-of-american-theatre-employee-no-79-larry-larsen/
It appears the name of the theater is now officially the Stewart Theater. The website refers to the theater by this name and the advertising does as well. here is the theater’s website: https://stewarttheater.com/
The Rogers Theatre is well on its way to becoming a top-notch gem of a theatre and live venue event center in Shelby. I recently met one of the owners and photographed the work that is being done. It will be beautiful when completed, and they are anxious to get that done, but because of the historic covenants, it is going a bit slower. They are not discouraged, they know it will take a bit more time.
I just visited Lewellen recently and called to verify the Theater information this week. Woodman Hall was the name of the first movie theater that was built as a playhouse and a movie theater and it opened in 1908. Woodman Hall served as the local school for two years as well, waiting for the new school to be built.
Two doors down, the State Theater was built, and on the front of the State Theater are the dates 1932-1964. Carl Beard built this theater and when he passed away in 1946, his sister Mary took over the theater and then dedicated in her brother’s honor to be a rec center for the town. For a while, it had a two-lane bowling alley inside. The school in town still celebrates a “Mary Beard” day on her birthday as a remembrance of someone who did a lot for this small town which now has a population of 175.
The Woodman Hall Theater shut down when the State opened, as far as the local folks can remember, but the Hall then served as the community center until 1935, and after that as a warehouse for amorphous silicated mined outside of Lewellen. After WWII, from 1947 and into the 1960’s it was a grocery store, and then became two storefronts. When Paul Temple, the owner died, it was sold by his daughter Mary to Paul’s good friend Dennis Miller and in 2009 it became a cafe and an art gallery, which is what it is today, and is known as the “Most Unlikey Place”.
Thank you to the owners and staff of the “Most Unlikely Place” and to Ruth Radke, who works at the Lewellen Chamber of Commerce and is a local librarian, for this information.
I photographed this theatre in 1990 and it was called “Main Attraction”. I am wondering if anyone remembers when it was called that? It isn’t recorded as such above in the history. Thanks!
The Palmetto Theatre opened in 1949, and closed in 1966, with the building used for other businesses for 50 years. 6 people joined together to purchase the building and have renovated and reopened the Palmetto, replacing the missing theater blad sign and now seating 140 patrons in a space that is used for movies as well as live performance. Their website is: https://palmettowalnutcove.com/calendar-of-events-at-the-palmetto/
I photographed the Times Theater, as it is now referred to, in May 2024 and it is alive and going strong! Here is their website: https://thetimestheater.com/. A beauty of a small town theater, it looked well loved and very active!
Stopped at the New Castle Playhouse and found the venue and the folks working there to be passionate about live theater. They have done tons of work to keep it viable and alive.
New information regarding the theatre architect from the Manager: “We have an article about the opening of the building from the August 5, 1948 edition of the Herald-Progress that states: “The building was designed by Bernard Spiegel of Norfolk and built by J. Kennon Perrin Co. of Ashland and Richmond, assisted by N.W. Martin and Bro with the air conditioning and heating; L. E. McAllister of Richmond all brick work, Electrical Service of Ashland, all wiring and light fixtures, J. B. Halbleib and Son of Ashland, All plumbing and fixtures.”
Here is more information on Bernard Spiegel: https://hamptonroadscf.org/stories/enid-w-and-bernard-b-spigel-architectural-scholarship-fund
The theater has reopened and seats 220 in two auditoriums for a total of 440. It is owned by the same family that runs a local restaurant, Alburritos Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar.
I just heard from a town resident that the theater is open! Here is their website: https://historicmonroetheatre.com/
The name of the hardware store was the S.S. Thomas Hardware store. the theater now seats 361 with the adaptations and updates.
The theater just a few steps away from the Booker T was the Manhattan Theatre and is now known as the Ritz. The building in between the two was torn down, and that may explain the renumbering of the theater address. Also, Main street is literally within viewing distance of the address on E. Thomas, as it is one block away.
The updated website for the Ashland Theatre is https://www.ashlandtheatre.org/
Correction for name of the first movie: it was “Three Sons O'Guns”.
The owners of the West have added two more small screens upstairs that seat 40 people each, bringing the seating capacity now to 336 with two screens below seating 128 each in the two downstairs theatres. They listed the original seating as around 400 but not sure if that included the balcony, which was unused for a time. the original stage and dressing rooms are behind the old screen which is covered up at this time, but they are still intact. Thanks to John Dunn at the West Theatre for this information.
Locals tend to refer to this theatre as the Vic Theatre, which is how it is listed here on Cinema Treasures. Fox built another theatre in town in 1929, and perhaps they did own the Orpheum for a while, but the historic property record does not show that. Here is a link to the State/National historic property record: https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI2226
Either way, it is a lovely example of an Art Deco facade!
I was inside of the Rodgers the week it was sold and being ‘renovated’ in 1990. It was in rough shape all around, but I certainly wish it could have been saved as well. (Especially the marquee!) Photos are what we have. I have a book that is being published by Bauer and Dean publishing for spring 2025 entitled: “America’s Hometown Movie Theaters: Please Remain Standing” which will have 3 photos of the Rodgers.
The Roxy was owned by W.A. Simons Amusement Co, which also built and ran the Wilma, in Missoula Montana. The company also owned the Go West Drive-In, and at one time other theaters. Billy Simons had married Edna Wilma Simons, and after Billy died,Edward Sharp married Edna, who ran the company. Eddie inherited the business after Edna passed away. Here is a website for their story: https://forgottenwilma.com/ Eddie Sharp also wrote a book on his experience of running the theaters and his “Chapel of the Dove” in the basement of the Wilma.
This theater was renovated and was stunning. The owner gave me a tour right after it opened. Unfortunately, it closed again on 11/26/2023. Here is a news story about the theater. I hope that it can be reopened soon because it was a beauty to behold.
https://www.keranews.org/arts-culture/2023-11-30/5-3-million-loan-default-delinquent-taxes-darken-isis-theaters-future-in-fort-worth
Visited this location today and it is now called the Center for Living Arts, a drama/ play center for youth and others. Their website is: https://www.centerforlivingarts.org/
A story from my now deceased neighbor Mrs. Jean Stafford, about the Liberty Theatre:
“The Liberty Theater had a stage, and they put on yearly recitals in the spring and fall there for the local ballet group which I was a part of. Outside of the theater was a sign area for coming attractions for the upcoming shows, and there were photos for the upcoming recital trying to sell tickets. I wanted my mother to take a picture of me by the advertisement, but she never did.
What I liked about the theater were the cowboy shows: twenty cents if you were over 12 years old and fifteen cents if you were under. On Saturday mornings I would try to get by for being younger so that I had five cents left for Cracker Jacks which was a big deal. The woman knew my 12-year-old face, so that didn’t work long. Besides movies, they had acts and I remember when the “Ink Spots” came. One of the guys had a big diamond ring that looked like a spotlight even from the back row. I am sure it was real."
it appears on the Anson-Jones Museum Website that the Palace hosted a movie night for the community on April 20, 2024, with two photographs. Vance Boyd, a local cattle rancher and candidate for the US Congress and his son have been in the news regarding their acquisition of the theater and the hard work they have been putting in to restore it. https://www.facebook.com/ansonjonesmuseum
Correction about year it opened - it was 1949. the movie that first was shown didn’t come out until then, so it could not have been 1941.
Howard Larsen was the son of Larry Larsen who was a scenic backdrop painter from Denmark originally. Here is the article about Larry: https://drypigment.net/2022/03/02/sosman-landis-shaping-the-landscape-of-american-theatre-employee-no-79-larry-larsen/
It appears the name of the theater is now officially the Stewart Theater. The website refers to the theater by this name and the advertising does as well. here is the theater’s website: https://stewarttheater.com/
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
The Rogers Theatre is well on its way to becoming a top-notch gem of a theatre and live venue event center in Shelby. I recently met one of the owners and photographed the work that is being done. It will be beautiful when completed, and they are anxious to get that done, but because of the historic covenants, it is going a bit slower. They are not discouraged, they know it will take a bit more time.
I just visited Lewellen recently and called to verify the Theater information this week. Woodman Hall was the name of the first movie theater that was built as a playhouse and a movie theater and it opened in 1908. Woodman Hall served as the local school for two years as well, waiting for the new school to be built.
Two doors down, the State Theater was built, and on the front of the State Theater are the dates 1932-1964. Carl Beard built this theater and when he passed away in 1946, his sister Mary took over the theater and then dedicated in her brother’s honor to be a rec center for the town. For a while, it had a two-lane bowling alley inside. The school in town still celebrates a “Mary Beard” day on her birthday as a remembrance of someone who did a lot for this small town which now has a population of 175.
The Woodman Hall Theater shut down when the State opened, as far as the local folks can remember, but the Hall then served as the community center until 1935, and after that as a warehouse for amorphous silicated mined outside of Lewellen. After WWII, from 1947 and into the 1960’s it was a grocery store, and then became two storefronts. When Paul Temple, the owner died, it was sold by his daughter Mary to Paul’s good friend Dennis Miller and in 2009 it became a cafe and an art gallery, which is what it is today, and is known as the “Most Unlikey Place”.
Thank you to the owners and staff of the “Most Unlikely Place” and to Ruth Radke, who works at the Lewellen Chamber of Commerce and is a local librarian, for this information.
I photographed this theatre in 1990 and it was called “Main Attraction”. I am wondering if anyone remembers when it was called that? It isn’t recorded as such above in the history. Thanks!