Franklin Theater
157 W. Main Street,
Lavonia,
GA
30553
157 W. Main Street,
Lavonia,
GA
30553
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Affiliated Theatres, McLendon Theaters
Functions: Retail
Nearby Theaters
The Franklin Theater was built in 1936. It was purchased by George Wilby in 1938, following a devastating fire. Mr. Wilby announced his intention at that time to rebuild the house. By 1950, it was operated by Affiliated Theatres, a subsidiary of McLendon Theatres.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
George Wilby was my grandfather. He died in 1973. He was involved with many theaters throughout the south. He built many drive-in theaters in South Florida.
I am looking for more info about his life and any info on his father, also George Thomas.
Thanks
Tom Wilby
Masonic Lodge now?
The Franklin Theatre was located at 157 West Main Street. Per Judy Hulsey: Later years it would become a Bowling Alley, Zack Daniel’s department store, and today it houses an Antique/Home Design Store. (Lavonia Antiques 2)
The Masonic Lodge is in the former Ford Theatre, located on Vickery Street. I am creating a CT page for it now, and will add 3 photos once it is up.
Per Diane Haley Toney about the Franklin Theatre: “This is the theatre that Covey Covington ran when I was a little girl. In my book, IT WAS WHAT IT WAS, I tell a story of running away from home to go to see a movie there. Covey called my parents to come get me.”
Here is the CT page for the Ford Theatre, which today houses the Masonic Lodge.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/58034
The Franklin was one of 22 theater projects either recently completed or under construction in Georgia, listed in an article in the October 13, 1936 issue of Film Daily. L. J. Duncan was the owner.