Roxy Theatre

219 S. Main Street,
Onida, SD 57564

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Previous Names: New Theatre, Onida Theatre, Crystal Theatre, Grand Theatre

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May 2000 photo credit Lou Merchen.

Located on S. 7th Street (today S. Main Street). Huffman & Schriever opened the New Theatre on November 1, 1920, which continued to operate under that name until June, 1923, when Al Schriever took over and changed the name to the Onida Theatre. Then Art Owens purchased the business and changed the name to the Crystal Theatre, which opened in September, 1927.

Mott Geiser became the manager and opened the week of December 10, 1929, under the name of the Grand Theatre.

The next owner was Harlan Seeley, of De Smet, who remodeled the building, installed new equipment and changed the name to the Roxy Theatre. He managed it a short time and then his brother-in-law, Olney Moe, took over for about three years, followed by another brother-in-law, Eugene Brown, who came in 1946. Then Lloyd Sawinsky managed the theatre for a couple years.

Glenn Woods came here in September, 1950, and Mr. Woods operated the theatre until he sold to Bob Demery.

The Roxy Theatre was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Demery from Glenn Woods in July, 1956. This was one of the first theatres in this area to have CinemaScope. Mr. Demery came to Onida in 1955 from Kenel, South Dakota, to teach in the high school.

It was demolished in early-2008.

History credit “75 Years of Sully County History”, edited by Mrs. E. L. Thompson.

Contributed by David Zornig
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