Berton Theatre

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History of the Berton Theater in Lamberton, Minnesota

From “Voices From the Past: History of Lamberton, Minnesota, 1872-1997” (1997) by Colleen B. Hubert et al.

O.B. Dahlgren, who owned a theater in [nearby] Walnut Grove … purchased the site of the former Farmers Co-op Store [at 121 Main Street South], razed the building and in 1945 started construction on a new theater. This theater, called “Berton” (a contraction of Lamberton) opened in April of 1946 with the movie “Mildred Pierce.” The theater had 366 upholstered seats and air-conditioning, offering the utmost of comfort to patrons. The building had a 7 room apartment on the second floor where Dick [theater manager Richard Soll], Elaine and their two sons lived. The first floor had three office rooms. Clifford Painter [projectionist and janitor at the earlier Star Theater] continued with his same duties in the new building, and his son, Stanley, was the “popcorn boy”…

The theater was sold to Elmer and Irene Vollmer in 1957. They operated it for 16 years. They sold it to Joe and Jacy Bovy in 1973. They operated until the winter of 1984, when it was closed for the winter months. They reopened May 3, 1985, and the last show here was in October, 1985. This voice from the past was silenced. The building stood empty until 1992 when it was razed to make way for the new Lamberton Community Center.