Boulevard Theatre

Joe Vogel on June 19, 2024 at 9:45 pm

The Elk Grove Historical Society says the Boulevard Theatre opened on February 4, 1955. It was at the northeast corner of Elk Grove Boulevard (then called Main Street) and Williamson Drive, but the building was set back from both streets to provide a parking area. It operated as a movie theater until 1965, when the building was sold to the local congregation of the Assembly of God and was converted for use as their church. In 1977 the building suffered two fires, the second of which leveled the structure. The modern retail building that replaced it appears to be somewhat larger than the theater was, and has the address 8805 Elk Grove Blvd.

The Boulevard was actually the second movie theater operated in Elk Grove by the Amundsons. From 1949 to 1954 they ran a house called the Cow Palace Theatre, a 500-seat operation which was in a large, rather rustic structure that also served as a cattle auction house by day. It was said that the scent from stalls for cattle which occupied part of the building lent a unique air of authenticity to western movies.

Joe Vogel on February 7, 2012 at 7:45 pm

The Boulevard Theatre was opened by Carl and Joyce Amundson in 1955, and was located on Elk Grove Boulevard near Williamson Drive. It was later renamed the Elk Theatre. I believe the building has been demolished, but I’m not positive.