The other 4 screens are in an additional building in back of the theater. If one travels to the hallway on the left side of the main auditorium, there are signs directing patrons out the back door and into the other smaller theaters.
The Saluda Theater is in great shape and is open! It now seats 274 patrons, and is home to the Saluda Players, a live community theater group. It sits directly across from the county courthouse.
The Palmetto Theatre opened in 1949, and closed in 1966, with the building used for other businesses for 50 years. 6 people joined together to purchase the building and have renovated and reopened the Palmetto, replacing the missing theater blad sign and now seating 140 patrons in a space that is used for movies as well as live performance. Their website is: https://palmettowalnutcove.com/calendar-of-events-at-the-palmetto/
I photographed the Times Theater, as it is now referred to, in May 2024 and it is alive and going strong! Here is their website: https://thetimestheater.com/. A beauty of a small town theater, it looked well loved and very active!
Stopped at the New Castle Playhouse and found the venue and the folks working there to be passionate about live theater. They have done tons of work to keep it viable and alive.
New information regarding the theatre architect from the Manager:
“We have an article about the opening of the building from the August 5, 1948 edition of the Herald-Progress that states: “The building was designed by Bernard Spiegel of Norfolk and built by J. Kennon Perrin Co. of Ashland and Richmond, assisted by N.W. Martin and Bro with the air conditioning and heating; L. E. McAllister of Richmond all brick work, Electrical Service of Ashland, all wiring and light fixtures, J. B. Halbleib and Son of Ashland, All plumbing and fixtures.”
Here is more information on Bernard Spiegel: https://hamptonroadscf.org/stories/enid-w-and-bernard-b-spigel-architectural-scholarship-fund
The theater has reopened and seats 220 in two auditoriums for a total of 440. It is owned by the same family that runs a local restaurant, Alburritos Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar.
The theater just a few steps away from the Booker T was the Manhattan Theatre and is now known as the Ritz. The building in between the two was torn down, and that may explain the renumbering of the theater address. Also, Main street is literally within viewing distance of the address on E. Thomas, as it is one block away.
The owners of the West have added two more small screens upstairs that seat 40 people each, bringing the seating capacity now to 336 with two screens below seating 128 each in the two downstairs theatres. They listed the original seating as around 400 but not sure if that included the balcony, which was unused for a time. the original stage and dressing rooms are behind the old screen which is covered up at this time, but they are still intact. Thanks to John Dunn at the West Theatre for this information.
Locals tend to refer to this theatre as the Vic Theatre, which is how it is listed here on Cinema Treasures. Fox built another theatre in town in 1929, and perhaps they did own the Orpheum for a while, but the historic property record does not show that. Here is a link to the State/National historic property record: https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI2226
Either way, it is a lovely example of an Art Deco facade!
I was inside of the Rodgers the week it was sold and being ‘renovated’ in 1990. It was in rough shape all around, but I certainly wish it could have been saved as well. (Especially the marquee!) Photos are what we have. I have a book that is being published by Bauer and Dean publishing for spring 2025 entitled: “America’s Hometown Movie Theaters: Please Remain Standing” which will have 3 photos of the Rodgers.
The Roxy was owned by W.A. Simons Amusement Co, which also built and ran the Wilma, in Missoula Montana. The company also owned the Go West Drive-In, and at one time other theaters. Billy Simons had married Edna Wilma Simons, and after Billy died,Edward Sharp married Edna, who ran the company. Eddie inherited the business after Edna passed away. Here is a website for their story: https://forgottenwilma.com/ Eddie Sharp also wrote a book on his experience of running the theaters and his “Chapel of the Dove” in the basement of the Wilma.
This theater was renovated and was stunning. The owner gave me a tour right after it opened. Unfortunately, it closed again on 11/26/2023. Here is a news story about the theater. I hope that it can be reopened soon because it was a beauty to behold.
Visited this location today and it is now called the Center for Living Arts, a drama/ play center for youth and others. Their website is: https://www.centerforlivingarts.org/
A story from my now deceased neighbor Mrs. Jean Stafford, about the Liberty Theatre:
“The Liberty Theater had a stage, and they put on yearly recitals in the spring and fall there for the local ballet group which I was a part of. Outside of the theater was a sign area for coming attractions for the upcoming shows, and there were photos for the upcoming recital trying to sell tickets. I wanted my mother to take a picture of me by the advertisement, but she never did.
What I liked about the theater were the cowboy shows: twenty cents if you were over 12 years old and fifteen cents if you were under. On Saturday mornings I would try to get by for being younger so that I had five cents left for Cracker Jacks which was a big deal. The woman knew my 12-year-old face, so that didn’t work long. Besides movies, they had acts and I remember when the “Ink Spots” came. One of the guys had a big diamond ring that looked like a spotlight even from the back row. I am sure it was real."
it appears on the Anson-Jones Museum Website that the Palace hosted a movie night for the community on April 20, 2024, with two photographs. Vance Boyd, a local cattle rancher and candidate for the US Congress and his son have been in the news regarding their acquisition of the theater and the hard work they have been putting in to restore it. https://www.facebook.com/ansonjonesmuseum
Howard Larsen was the son of Larry Larsen who was a scenic backdrop painter from Denmark originally. Here is the article about Larry: https://drypigment.net/2022/03/02/sosman-landis-shaping-the-landscape-of-american-theatre-employee-no-79-larry-larsen/
It appears the name of the theater is now officially the Stewart Theater. The website refers to the theater by this name and the advertising does as well. here is the theater’s website: https://stewarttheater.com/
The other 4 screens are in an additional building in back of the theater. If one travels to the hallway on the left side of the main auditorium, there are signs directing patrons out the back door and into the other smaller theaters.
The Saluda Theater is in great shape and is open! It now seats 274 patrons, and is home to the Saluda Players, a live community theater group. It sits directly across from the county courthouse.
The Orpheum’s website states that the opening was in 1921. https://orpheumnola.net/home/about-the-orpheum/
Now known as the Wellington Regent Theatre at last check 11/28/2024.
The Palmetto Theatre opened in 1949, and closed in 1966, with the building used for other businesses for 50 years. 6 people joined together to purchase the building and have renovated and reopened the Palmetto, replacing the missing theater blad sign and now seating 140 patrons in a space that is used for movies as well as live performance. Their website is: https://palmettowalnutcove.com/calendar-of-events-at-the-palmetto/
I photographed the Times Theater, as it is now referred to, in May 2024 and it is alive and going strong! Here is their website: https://thetimestheater.com/. A beauty of a small town theater, it looked well loved and very active!
Stopped at the New Castle Playhouse and found the venue and the folks working there to be passionate about live theater. They have done tons of work to keep it viable and alive.
New information regarding the theatre architect from the Manager: “We have an article about the opening of the building from the August 5, 1948 edition of the Herald-Progress that states: “The building was designed by Bernard Spiegel of Norfolk and built by J. Kennon Perrin Co. of Ashland and Richmond, assisted by N.W. Martin and Bro with the air conditioning and heating; L. E. McAllister of Richmond all brick work, Electrical Service of Ashland, all wiring and light fixtures, J. B. Halbleib and Son of Ashland, All plumbing and fixtures.”
Here is more information on Bernard Spiegel: https://hamptonroadscf.org/stories/enid-w-and-bernard-b-spigel-architectural-scholarship-fund
The theater has reopened and seats 220 in two auditoriums for a total of 440. It is owned by the same family that runs a local restaurant, Alburritos Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar.
I just heard from a town resident that the theater is open! Here is their website: https://historicmonroetheatre.com/
The name of the hardware store was the S.S. Thomas Hardware store. the theater now seats 361 with the adaptations and updates.
The theater just a few steps away from the Booker T was the Manhattan Theatre and is now known as the Ritz. The building in between the two was torn down, and that may explain the renumbering of the theater address. Also, Main street is literally within viewing distance of the address on E. Thomas, as it is one block away.
The updated website for the Ashland Theatre is https://www.ashlandtheatre.org/
Correction for name of the first movie: it was “Three Sons O'Guns”.
The owners of the West have added two more small screens upstairs that seat 40 people each, bringing the seating capacity now to 336 with two screens below seating 128 each in the two downstairs theatres. They listed the original seating as around 400 but not sure if that included the balcony, which was unused for a time. the original stage and dressing rooms are behind the old screen which is covered up at this time, but they are still intact. Thanks to John Dunn at the West Theatre for this information.
Locals tend to refer to this theatre as the Vic Theatre, which is how it is listed here on Cinema Treasures. Fox built another theatre in town in 1929, and perhaps they did own the Orpheum for a while, but the historic property record does not show that. Here is a link to the State/National historic property record: https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI2226
Either way, it is a lovely example of an Art Deco facade!
I was inside of the Rodgers the week it was sold and being ‘renovated’ in 1990. It was in rough shape all around, but I certainly wish it could have been saved as well. (Especially the marquee!) Photos are what we have. I have a book that is being published by Bauer and Dean publishing for spring 2025 entitled: “America’s Hometown Movie Theaters: Please Remain Standing” which will have 3 photos of the Rodgers.
The Roxy was owned by W.A. Simons Amusement Co, which also built and ran the Wilma, in Missoula Montana. The company also owned the Go West Drive-In, and at one time other theaters. Billy Simons had married Edna Wilma Simons, and after Billy died,Edward Sharp married Edna, who ran the company. Eddie inherited the business after Edna passed away. Here is a website for their story: https://forgottenwilma.com/ Eddie Sharp also wrote a book on his experience of running the theaters and his “Chapel of the Dove” in the basement of the Wilma.
This theater was renovated and was stunning. The owner gave me a tour right after it opened. Unfortunately, it closed again on 11/26/2023. Here is a news story about the theater. I hope that it can be reopened soon because it was a beauty to behold.
https://www.keranews.org/arts-culture/2023-11-30/5-3-million-loan-default-delinquent-taxes-darken-isis-theaters-future-in-fort-worth
Visited this location today and it is now called the Center for Living Arts, a drama/ play center for youth and others. Their website is: https://www.centerforlivingarts.org/
A story from my now deceased neighbor Mrs. Jean Stafford, about the Liberty Theatre:
“The Liberty Theater had a stage, and they put on yearly recitals in the spring and fall there for the local ballet group which I was a part of. Outside of the theater was a sign area for coming attractions for the upcoming shows, and there were photos for the upcoming recital trying to sell tickets. I wanted my mother to take a picture of me by the advertisement, but she never did.
What I liked about the theater were the cowboy shows: twenty cents if you were over 12 years old and fifteen cents if you were under. On Saturday mornings I would try to get by for being younger so that I had five cents left for Cracker Jacks which was a big deal. The woman knew my 12-year-old face, so that didn’t work long. Besides movies, they had acts and I remember when the “Ink Spots” came. One of the guys had a big diamond ring that looked like a spotlight even from the back row. I am sure it was real."
it appears on the Anson-Jones Museum Website that the Palace hosted a movie night for the community on April 20, 2024, with two photographs. Vance Boyd, a local cattle rancher and candidate for the US Congress and his son have been in the news regarding their acquisition of the theater and the hard work they have been putting in to restore it. https://www.facebook.com/ansonjonesmuseum
Correction about year it opened - it was 1949. the movie that first was shown didn’t come out until then, so it could not have been 1941.
Howard Larsen was the son of Larry Larsen who was a scenic backdrop painter from Denmark originally. Here is the article about Larry: https://drypigment.net/2022/03/02/sosman-landis-shaping-the-landscape-of-american-theatre-employee-no-79-larry-larsen/
It appears the name of the theater is now officially the Stewart Theater. The website refers to the theater by this name and the advertising does as well. here is the theater’s website: https://stewarttheater.com/