A fire on Main Street in the winter of 1949 burned down what was called the Pine Theatre, located where Band Shell Park currently sits. The fire consumed the three buildings on the corner of Main and 2nd Street, formerly known as White Street.
From an excerpt of the August 10, 1950, Pine Island Record, “Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Olson of Grantsburg, Wisconsin, who will operate the new theatre, have purchased land
across the street from Pine Island Telephone Office and work was begun Tuesday in preparation of a building which will be 40 x 108 with a seating capacity of 435. Stiller Brothers have contracted the
erection of the building and material will be furnished by Hess Lumber Company.” The new theatre, called the Metro was operated through the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Arvid Olson sold the Metro theatre in 1965 to a businessperson from Ogden, Utah.
Grant Friese with Cornerstone Baptist Church bought the building in 1972. The church operated from this building until 2007, at which point the congregation transitioned
to the newly constructed building off Highway 52 by Elk Run.
Tony Love bought the Theatre in the spring of 2008 and re-branded it the Olde Pine Theatre. Tony with the help of Jerry Vettel renovated the building from a church back
into a theatre. Small aesthetic changes were made inside, including murals on the lobby walls painted by Helen Distad, 188 re-purposed seats from the Rochester Civic Theatre, an addition of a dance
floor, construction of a thrust stage, and repurposed stage lighting from the Masque Youth Theatre. Sadly, in 2014 Tony passed away. There was no immediate desire to purchase the building, and it was
at risk of getting torn down. In the summer of 2016, Ted and Tricia Galaty bought the Olde Pine Theatre with the vision of bringing live performances, the arts, and medical benefits to the
community.
From the book “Remembering Rapid City”: “…Construction of the Starlite Drive-In began in August 1948, east of town and at the west end of Superior Airport on highways 14 and 16. The complex held 650 cars on special rolling ramps facing a gigantic 56 foot square screen. Most popular movies of the day were the Westerns and double features at one dollar per carload.”
From the book “Remembering Rapid City”: “The Rex Theatre featured the RCA Photophone system for cutting edge projection fidelity. In early 1930, the Rex showed "The Lost Zeppelin”, starring Ricardo Cortez and Virginia Valli. They advertised that this was the talking picture shown in New York for $2: “You see if for 30 cents.” Owned by Black Hills Amusement Company, the Rex underwent a major renovation in 1960."
From the book “Remembering Rapid City”: “Said to contain a resident ghost, the Elks Theatre at 512 Sixth took on a new life several years ago and is currently Rapid City’s only downtown movie house. In June 1927, the Elks showed exclusive daily footage of President Coolidge’s stay here and premiered "Men of Daring”, the first full-length movie filmed entirely in the Black Hills. Tickets cost 10 cents to 40 cents"
This theater has been demolished.
This theater has been demolished.
Address is 411 Railroad Ave.
History from the website:
A fire on Main Street in the winter of 1949 burned down what was called the Pine Theatre, located where Band Shell Park currently sits. The fire consumed the three
buildings on the corner of Main and 2nd Street, formerly known as White Street.
From an excerpt of the August 10, 1950, Pine Island Record, “Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Olson of Grantsburg, Wisconsin, who will operate the new theatre, have purchased land across the street from Pine Island Telephone Office and work was begun Tuesday in preparation of a building which will be 40 x 108 with a seating capacity of 435. Stiller Brothers have contracted the erection of the building and material will be furnished by Hess Lumber Company.” The new theatre, called the Metro was operated through the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Arvid Olson sold the Metro theatre in 1965 to a businessperson from Ogden, Utah.
Grant Friese with Cornerstone Baptist Church bought the building in 1972. The church operated from this building until 2007, at which point the congregation transitioned to the newly constructed building off Highway 52 by Elk Run.
Tony Love bought the Theatre in the spring of 2008 and re-branded it the Olde Pine Theatre. Tony with the help of Jerry Vettel renovated the building from a church back into a theatre. Small aesthetic changes were made inside, including murals on the lobby walls painted by Helen Distad, 188 re-purposed seats from the Rochester Civic Theatre, an addition of a dance floor, construction of a thrust stage, and repurposed stage lighting from the Masque Youth Theatre. Sadly, in 2014 Tony passed away. There was no immediate desire to purchase the building, and it was at risk of getting torn down. In the summer of 2016, Ted and Tricia Galaty bought the Olde Pine Theatre with the vision of bringing live performances, the arts, and medical benefits to the community.
Looks like its open again as a live music venue.
Building has been demolished. The site is currently a parking garage.
This theater has been demolished. Site is a parking lot.
+1 for Trolleyguy’s comment. Address is a parking lot.
This building was demolished between October 2023 and August 2025.
This building was demolished between October 2023 and August 2025.
The building was demolished between August 2008 and August 2013 according to Google Maps
This one has been demolished. Most of the block is home to a relatively recent office building.
The building is currently a restaurant.
Building is at the northwest corner of 2nd Ave SE and 2nd St SE
A new two story building was built in 2021-2022 around the auditorium and its currently a charter school.
This theater has been demolished along with most of its neighbors.
Correct address is 109-113 North Clinton Avenue.
The Rex was located in the Allen Bennett Block, built in 1881.
From the book “Remembering Rapid City”: “…Construction of the Starlite Drive-In began in August 1948, east of town and at the west end of Superior Airport on highways 14 and 16. The complex held 650 cars on special rolling ramps facing a gigantic 56 foot square screen. Most popular movies of the day were the Westerns and double features at one dollar per carload.”
From the book “Remembering Rapid City”: “The Rex Theatre featured the RCA Photophone system for cutting edge projection fidelity. In early 1930, the Rex showed "The Lost Zeppelin”, starring Ricardo Cortez and Virginia Valli. They advertised that this was the talking picture shown in New York for $2: “You see if for 30 cents.” Owned by Black Hills Amusement Company, the Rex underwent a major renovation in 1960."
From the book “Remembering Rapid City”: “Said to contain a resident ghost, the Elks Theatre at 512 Sixth took on a new life several years ago and is currently Rapid City’s only downtown movie house. In June 1927, the Elks showed exclusive daily footage of President Coolidge’s stay here and premiered "Men of Daring”, the first full-length movie filmed entirely in the Black Hills. Tickets cost 10 cents to 40 cents"
This building was built in 1934 as the Con Foster Museum and was built by the WPA.
This theater has reopened and is operating as the GQT Cadillac 4.
The Paulding is now a vacant lot.
This theater was demolished recently along with the neighboring Paulding Theatre.