Franklin Theater

157 W. Main Street,
Lavonia, GA 30553

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Affiliated Theatres, McLendon Theaters

Functions: Retail

Nearby Theaters

1951 photo courtesy of Judy Hulseyā€ˇ.

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

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

TomWilby
TomWilby on April 5, 2009 at 9:53 am

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

acdecoster
acdecoster on July 25, 2017 at 9:01 am

Masonic Lodge now?

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 26, 2018 at 4:41 pm

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.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 26, 2018 at 5:05 pm

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.”

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 27, 2018 at 6:20 am

Here is the CT page for the Ford Theatre, which today houses the Masonic Lodge.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/58034

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 24, 2022 at 9:06 pm

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.

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