Lewis Tanner opened the Tanner Drive-In on August 15, 1950 with “The Streets of Laredo.” The venue’s last ad was the September 8, 1991 double feature of “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” and “FX2”.
Dickerson and Huggins closed the White Palace and, after a constable’s auction on January 28, 1910, it reopened on March 10, 1910 as the Princess Theatre.
Arnold “Doug” Dickerson and John M. Huggins launched the White Palace Theatre on April 15, 1907 with Gaston Velle’s “Miniature Theatre” and “Bad Mother.” They closed it two years later with a constable’s auction on January 28, 1910. It reopened on March 10, 1910 briefly as the Princess Theatre. It was renamed the White Palace before closing again.
Charles J. Law opened the Palace Theatre on July 12, 1912 in the Elks Club #1261 Building with vaudeville and “The Adventures of American Joe” and “The Ghost of Sulphur Mountain.” All for a dime. Harry Tanner took on the venue equipping it for Moviephone sound in December of 1928.
The Elks migrated to the new Roseland Theatre building in 1940. The Palace Theatre appears to have closed in 1944 by Tanner of Tanner Theatres.
Charles J. Law opens the Palace Theatre on July 12, 1912 with vaudeville and “The Adventures of American Joe” and “The Ghost of Sulphur Mountain.” All for a dime.
Harry Tanner’s Tanner Theater Circuit opened the Roseland on February 14, 1940 with “I Take This Woman.” O.T. Stiegmeyer of St. Louis was the architect of the theatre. Formal openings of the adjoining business, the Shirley Shop and the Roseland Cafe took place the same day.
Harry Tanner of the Palace Theater announced the new-build Eagle Theatre in 1919. Ir opened March 26, 1920 with a $10,000 Bartola pipe organ and Anita Stewart in “Blind Husbands” supported by simian Mrs. Joe Martin in “Over the Transom” and a “Paramount Magazine” short. Tanner closed on May 12, 1930 unable to make the conversion to sound.
After a single silent booking in 1931, it received a major update by new operators Roy M. Kennedy and Paul Stonum as the Illinois Theatre. The Illinois opened March 12, 1932 with Will Rogers in “Business & Pleasure.” Tanner bought the theatre in the Fall closing it during summer months. The town had three theaters with the opening of the Roseland in 1940. After the War, he retained the Roseland and returned the Illinois Theatre to the Eagle namesake. The venue closed and the building was demolished long after in April of 1973.
George Johnston and John Fischer announced plans for their opera house in 1899 under the working title Green Bay Theater. The brick venue was architected by George Johnston opened on February 24, 1900, initially presenting plays. Its debut production was “Because She Loves Him So,” with seats priced at $10 each. The regularly / popularly priced opening followed on February 26, 1900, with ticket prices ranging from a quarter to a dollar. Sturtz’s Studio was on hand, taking opening-night photos of patrons for fifty cents each.
In 1910, J.R. Minihan took over the venue, and in February 1912 he converted it to a full-time film and vaudeville house, reopening it as the Jay-Are Theatre - using his initials spelled out - on February 29, 1912, with five acts and films for just 15 cents. Later that year, the operators of the original Orpheum Theatre assumed control, renaming it the “new” Orpheum on October 4, 1912. H.K. Timm then hired architects William A. Oppenhamer and I.A. Obel to redesign the venue. The Orpheum closed on February 10, 1929, and the following day its contents were sold in a salvage sale including its original organ. Bookings were temporarily moved to the Columbus Community Auditorium while the original structure was essentially rebuilt over the next 18 months.
The $300,000 project resulted in a taller, sleeker Art Nouveau “new” Orpheum Theatre, which reopened on September 19, 1930, featuring a three-manual, 14-rank, $25,000 Barton Wonder Organ with George La Motte at the console. Five acts of vaudeville supported the opening film, “Once a Gentleman” which - itself was supported by the Terrytoon’s short, “Swiss Cheese.” The “new” Orpheum had virtually nothing resembling the original structure which was considered a postive. Patrons were impressed by circular panels depicting ships from Green Bay’s past, along with artwork of fish and crab. Reinforced with 115 tons of steel, the theatre was built for longevity in downtown Green Bay.
In August 1933, the Orpheum was taken over by the Fox Wisconsin Amusement Enterprises Circuit under a ten-year agreement. In 1943, Victor McCormick assumed control of the Orpheum. On December 1, 1956, Marcus Theatre Corp. acquired the aging venue and closed it for a major streamlining and interior renovation after the final show on October 27, 1957. Bookings were moved to the former Strand, renamed the Time Theatre. The Orpheum reopened as the Vic Theatre on Christmas Day, December 25, 1957. Reports of the day said that only about 25% of the 1930-era Orph remained. Marcus closed the Vic on September 15, 1985, with “Gone With the Wind,” and the theatre finished the year hosting the play “A Christmas Carol.”
In 1986, the building became a live events venue known as City Centre Theatre with plans by R. Schenkelberg Associates, operating through March 1993 as the venue’s exterior and auditorium footprint were about the only remaining elements of the 1930-era theater. It reopened later that year under the revived Orpheum name. In August 1994, it was converted into the City Lights Night Club, and in 1997 it became Confetti’s Night Club. In 2022, the property was acquired and entered a lengthy redevelopment phase, with plans to reemerge in the 2020s as the Vic Theatre.
(This venue was owned by Fox but not named the Fox.)
The Strand Theater’s site was formerly occupied by a livery stable that evolved into the Bijou, then the Star, and later the Royal Theater under Saxe Amusement Enterprises. The Royal burned down during showtimes on May 12, 1920. Saxe rebuilt it as the all-new Strand Theatre, which opened on May 7, 1921, and served as the circuit’s “A” theater. The big story that night was movie star Clara Kimball Young appearing at all three of the Strand’s opening showings of Constance Talmadge in “Dangerous Business.“ The visit was captured on film (and the timing of her visit was sheer coincidence as she was in town for other business) and shown on the theater’s third night of operation. The Strand didn’t disappoint. Its $10,000 pipe organ, ivory and bronze ornaments, mahogany doors, and carved cornices gave it a notably elegant character. Harry W. Carr was its architect.
The Strand installed sound on May 26, 1928, to remain viable. However, the opening of the neighboring Fox (later the Bay Theatre) led to the Strand becoming a second-run house. Standard Theatres operated the Strand through its final showtimes on November 9, 1952. It then closed for a three-day refresh, reopening as the Time Theater on November 13, 1952, with Ivanhoe. Standard closed the Time on March 20, 1955, after which it became a short-lived church.
Marcus Theatres decided to remodel the nearby Orpheum in the fall of 1957. The Time was refreshed, and its bookings were moved to the newly updated “Time Theatre,” now equipped with widescreen, reopening on October 26, 1957, with “The Devil’s Hairpin” and “Short Cut to Hell.” It closed again on June 21, 1959.
L.F. Gran Circuit and former Time Theater manager George Hannon took over the venue and restored its Strand Theatre name on September 27, 1961, reopening with “The Young Doctors.” Hannon introduced “Uncle George’s” weekend matinee shows for children at a quarter admission price and also offered filmed operas through a season pass. Struggling to find a steady audience, the Strand hired Uwe “Skip” Jark in 1962, operating under the moniker “Strand: The House of Hits.” The L.F. Gran Circuit then sold the Strand to its final operator, Prudential Theatres Inc., which chose to close it following the June 14, 1962, showings of “Murder She Said…” and “The Broken Land.” Its final bookings were transferred to the Vic Theatre.
The venue had a final run as a community theater beginning in 1966. Used only sporadically in the 1970s, it eventually suffered a roof collapse that led to its demolition in 1982. The original blue and cream-colored frieze was salvaged during the demolition in September 1982 and donated to a local museum. The remainder of the compromised structure offered little resistance during demolition.
The McIntyre Opera House opened on December 22, 1903. After a refresh by new lessees, it reopened as the Lyric Theatre with movies on May 2, 1914.
On January 21, 1972, it offered X-Rated fare as the Playmates Theatre and occasional mainstream titles under the Lyric nameplate. As its second 30-year lease was coming due in May of 1974, a new twin-screen cinema was built opening in May of 1974 and the Lyric (with Playmates playdates) was closed permanently. It was offered for sale. BTW: It was a 220 1st Street.
The Plaza Theatre opened with “Fun in a Turkish Bath” on April 12, 1914. The architect for the project was Ralph R.C. Jackson. The Plaza was equipped with sound to remain viable and with widescreen to present CinemaScope titles. The Plaza Theatre and the neighboring Hotel burned down on June 27, 1971 ending its run. The buildings had been scheduled for demolition in urban renewal plans.
As for the Cinema I, it was a block away and in its second location. Pennington Management Co. had opened Cinema I on Pleasant Street and operated the adult Center Theatre, as well. Pennington opened the Cinema I loaction at 415 South Main Street on August 22, 1980.
It was supposed to have been programming unrated XXX adult films; but protests changed the opening to “The Blues Brothers.” The Cinema I ran Hollywood fare for two months. But in October of 1980, the Cinema ran X-Rated fare and protests were loud. When it went XXX, it created a firestorm. Cinema I operated into the summer of 1985 when it closed on May 12, 1985 with Colleen Brennen in “Trinity Brown” and Anne Sprinkle in “Dirty Looks.” The City took over the property and demolished it.
William B. Stecker launched the Palace Theatre to the plans of architect Ralph R.C. Jackson on August 22, 1910. An over capacity crowd filled the 800-seat venue and the gathered saw vaudeville and movies. In January of 1923, a modern building was designed to augment “broker’s row” in downtown Fall River - and spelled the end of the Palace as it would be located at 87 Bedford Street.
The final showtime at the Palace Theater appears to be January 13, 1923 with “The Doll House.” In April of 1923, the Palace was torn down and the scrap from the building was sold at the Bedford Street location.
The Nickelodeon Musee on Pleasant Street began advertising in January of 1897. It shortened to the Nickelodeon. It closed in the Fall of 1909 and was retrofitted as a theatre likely losing the arcade units. It operated until showtimes of July 1, 1927 when a projection booth fire appears to have ended operations. It had 30 years of documentable operation - an amazing run for the Pleasant Street exhibitor. In October of 1927, the space was retrofitted becoming the Island Park Shooting Gallery amusement place.
Augustus E. Rich’s Theatre was located at 187-189 Second Street (listed initially at a different address but renumbered here). It launched with live vaudeville fare on October 22, 1894. Under new operators, Rich’s was renamed as the Puritan Theatre on November 27, 1907 exclusively with movies. The venue ended up at auction in 1909.
Julius Cahn and Lowe Theatre Company bought the Puritan in 1909 to rid the city of competition. But Cahn decided to reopen here as the downsized, 400-seat Puritan Theatre on December 25, 1912. It closed again on February 17, 1913. The building was auctioned in December of 1914 and the new buyer eventually decided to tear down the property. The building was demolished 1917.
Frank Rich’s Theatre was located at 187-189 Second Street (listed initially at a different address but renumbered here). It launched with live vaudeville fare on October 22, 1894. Rich’s was renamed as the Puritan Theatre on November 27, 1907 exclusively with movies. The venue ended up at auction in 1909.
Julius Cahn and Lowe Theatre Company bought the Puritan in 1909 to rid the city of competition. But Cahn reopened here as the 400-seat Puritan Theatre on December 25, 1912. It closed again on February 17, 1913. The building was auctioned in December of 1914 and the new buyer eventually decided to tear down the property. The building was demolished 1917.
Charles Baxter and Archibald Hall took on the Odd Fellows Building for entertainment programming in 1887. As the renamed Puritan Hall, it relaunched on December 11, 1889. Under new operators, it became Wonderland Musee & Theatre, a family entertainment center, opening in the Puritan Hall Block on May 18, 1891. It was shortened to the Wonderland Theatre. After a refresh, it reopened as the Casto Thetre with vaudeville on September 27, 1897.
The Casto became the short-lived Boston Theatre in 1907 and then became the 700-seat Premier Theatre in October of 1907 also playing only motion pictures. In 1915 and into the 1920s, the venue went in and out of business fairly regularly. The Premier came back for consistent operation beginning on April 11, 1925 with “Charley’s Aunt” on the big screen.
The Premier’s final shows were on February 2, 1928 with “Legionnaires in Paris” and “Your Wife and Mine” with Phyllis Haver and Stuart Holmes. Both the Rialto and the Premier burned down on February 3, 1928. The remaining sliver of the building was torn down later that week. This entry or the Premier entry should be combined as the Premier Theatre formerly the Puritan Hall, Wonderland Theatre, Wonderland Musee and Theatre, Casto Theatre, and Boston Theatre.
Charles Baxter and Archibald Hall took on the Odd Fellows Building for entertainment programming in 1887. As the renamed Puritan Hall, it relaunched on December 11, 1889. Under new operators, it became Wonderland Musee & Theatre, a family entertainment center, opening in the Puritan Hall Block on May 18, 1891. It was shortened to the Wonderland Theatre. After a refresh, it reopened as the Casto Thetre with vaudeville on September 27, 1897.
The Casto became the short-lived Boston Theatre in 1907 and then became the 700-seat Premier Theatre in October of 1907 also playing only motion pictures. In 1915 and into the 1920s, the venue went in and out of business fairly regularly. The Premier came back for consistent operation beginning on April 11, 1925 with “Charley’s Aunt” on the big screen.
The Premier’s final shows were on February 2, 1928 with “Legionnaires in Paris” and “Your Wife and Mine” with Phyllis Haver and Stuart Holmes. Both the Rialto and the Premier burned down on February 3, 1928. The remaining sliver of the building was torn down later that week. This entry or the Premier entry should be combined as the Premier Theatre formerly the Puritan Hall, Wonderland Theatre, Wonderland Musee and Theatre, Casto Theatre, and Boston Theatre.
The town’s tiny silent-era theatre had operated from 1915 by D.J. Bless to its end after a fire destroyed it on December 7, 1936. A new venue was built as the Weston Theatre.
Local optometrist Dr. Abe Shafer, Sr. built the Shafer Theatre and Airdome next door to each other opening on June 5, 1915 in the Airdome and later that year with the hardtop. The Airdome’s 1930 season featured RCA sound on film technology which the company said was the smallest town in the United States with a sound on film venue. Edgerton had just 427 residents at that time. The equipment was moved into the Shafer Theatre that fall.
The 1930s were challenging and local Judge Abe Shafer, Jr. closed the theater twice due to lack of ticket sales. The venues had operated seasonally until the Shafer Airdome’s final season ender, September 8, 1938’s “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” Due to Judge Shafer’s death, the family sold the theaters in 1938 to George and A.F. “Peck” Baker of Baker Enterprises which operated it briefly before closing.
The Shafer family reopened the hardtop theater before closing it in 1942. Mrs. Shafer had said that Edgerton’s tiny population and proximity to nearby Kansas City - about 35 miles away - posed great challenges. The local merchants reopened the theater operating it from 1942 until its permanent closure.
208 South Locust.
Lewis Tanner opened the Tanner Drive-In on August 15, 1950 with “The Streets of Laredo.” The venue’s last ad was the September 8, 1991 double feature of “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” and “FX2”.
Dickerson and Huggins closed the White Palace and, after a constable’s auction on January 28, 1910, it reopened on March 10, 1910 as the Princess Theatre.
Arnold “Doug” Dickerson and John M. Huggins launched the White Palace Theatre on April 15, 1907 with Gaston Velle’s “Miniature Theatre” and “Bad Mother.” They closed it two years later with a constable’s auction on January 28, 1910. It reopened on March 10, 1910 briefly as the Princess Theatre. It was renamed the White Palace before closing again.
Doug Dickerson and John M. Huggins launched the White Palace Theatre on April 15, 1907 with Gaston Velle’s “Miniature Theatre” and “Bad Mother.”
Charles J. Law opened the Palace Theatre on July 12, 1912 in the Elks Club #1261 Building with vaudeville and “The Adventures of American Joe” and “The Ghost of Sulphur Mountain.” All for a dime. Harry Tanner took on the venue equipping it for Moviephone sound in December of 1928.
The Elks migrated to the new Roseland Theatre building in 1940. The Palace Theatre appears to have closed in 1944 by Tanner of Tanner Theatres.
Charles J. Law opens the Palace Theatre on July 12, 1912 with vaudeville and “The Adventures of American Joe” and “The Ghost of Sulphur Mountain.” All for a dime.
Harry Tanner’s Tanner Theater Circuit opened the Roseland on February 14, 1940 with “I Take This Woman.” O.T. Stiegmeyer of St. Louis was the architect of the theatre. Formal openings of the adjoining business, the Shirley Shop and the Roseland Cafe took place the same day.
Harry Tanner of the Palace Theater announced the new-build Eagle Theatre in 1919. Ir opened March 26, 1920 with a $10,000 Bartola pipe organ and Anita Stewart in “Blind Husbands” supported by simian Mrs. Joe Martin in “Over the Transom” and a “Paramount Magazine” short. Tanner closed on May 12, 1930 unable to make the conversion to sound.
After a single silent booking in 1931, it received a major update by new operators Roy M. Kennedy and Paul Stonum as the Illinois Theatre. The Illinois opened March 12, 1932 with Will Rogers in “Business & Pleasure.” Tanner bought the theatre in the Fall closing it during summer months. The town had three theaters with the opening of the Roseland in 1940. After the War, he retained the Roseland and returned the Illinois Theatre to the Eagle namesake. The venue closed and the building was demolished long after in April of 1973.
The 1929 iteration was architected by Irving A. Obel William A. Oppenhamer of Oppenhamer & Obel
Architect William A. Oppenhamer of Oppenhamer & Obel
George Johnston and John Fischer announced plans for their opera house in 1899 under the working title Green Bay Theater. The brick venue was architected by George Johnston opened on February 24, 1900, initially presenting plays. Its debut production was “Because She Loves Him So,” with seats priced at $10 each. The regularly / popularly priced opening followed on February 26, 1900, with ticket prices ranging from a quarter to a dollar. Sturtz’s Studio was on hand, taking opening-night photos of patrons for fifty cents each.
In 1910, J.R. Minihan took over the venue, and in February 1912 he converted it to a full-time film and vaudeville house, reopening it as the Jay-Are Theatre - using his initials spelled out - on February 29, 1912, with five acts and films for just 15 cents. Later that year, the operators of the original Orpheum Theatre assumed control, renaming it the “new” Orpheum on October 4, 1912. H.K. Timm then hired architects William A. Oppenhamer and I.A. Obel to redesign the venue. The Orpheum closed on February 10, 1929, and the following day its contents were sold in a salvage sale including its original organ. Bookings were temporarily moved to the Columbus Community Auditorium while the original structure was essentially rebuilt over the next 18 months.
The $300,000 project resulted in a taller, sleeker Art Nouveau “new” Orpheum Theatre, which reopened on September 19, 1930, featuring a three-manual, 14-rank, $25,000 Barton Wonder Organ with George La Motte at the console. Five acts of vaudeville supported the opening film, “Once a Gentleman” which - itself was supported by the Terrytoon’s short, “Swiss Cheese.” The “new” Orpheum had virtually nothing resembling the original structure which was considered a postive. Patrons were impressed by circular panels depicting ships from Green Bay’s past, along with artwork of fish and crab. Reinforced with 115 tons of steel, the theatre was built for longevity in downtown Green Bay.
In August 1933, the Orpheum was taken over by the Fox Wisconsin Amusement Enterprises Circuit under a ten-year agreement. In 1943, Victor McCormick assumed control of the Orpheum. On December 1, 1956, Marcus Theatre Corp. acquired the aging venue and closed it for a major streamlining and interior renovation after the final show on October 27, 1957. Bookings were moved to the former Strand, renamed the Time Theatre. The Orpheum reopened as the Vic Theatre on Christmas Day, December 25, 1957. Reports of the day said that only about 25% of the 1930-era Orph remained. Marcus closed the Vic on September 15, 1985, with “Gone With the Wind,” and the theatre finished the year hosting the play “A Christmas Carol.”
In 1986, the building became a live events venue known as City Centre Theatre with plans by R. Schenkelberg Associates, operating through March 1993 as the venue’s exterior and auditorium footprint were about the only remaining elements of the 1930-era theater. It reopened later that year under the revived Orpheum name. In August 1994, it was converted into the City Lights Night Club, and in 1997 it became Confetti’s Night Club. In 2022, the property was acquired and entered a lengthy redevelopment phase, with plans to reemerge in the 2020s as the Vic Theatre.
(This venue was owned by Fox but not named the Fox.)
The Strand Theater’s site was formerly occupied by a livery stable that evolved into the Bijou, then the Star, and later the Royal Theater under Saxe Amusement Enterprises. The Royal burned down during showtimes on May 12, 1920. Saxe rebuilt it as the all-new Strand Theatre, which opened on May 7, 1921, and served as the circuit’s “A” theater. The big story that night was movie star Clara Kimball Young appearing at all three of the Strand’s opening showings of Constance Talmadge in “Dangerous Business.“ The visit was captured on film (and the timing of her visit was sheer coincidence as she was in town for other business) and shown on the theater’s third night of operation. The Strand didn’t disappoint. Its $10,000 pipe organ, ivory and bronze ornaments, mahogany doors, and carved cornices gave it a notably elegant character. Harry W. Carr was its architect.
The Strand installed sound on May 26, 1928, to remain viable. However, the opening of the neighboring Fox (later the Bay Theatre) led to the Strand becoming a second-run house. Standard Theatres operated the Strand through its final showtimes on November 9, 1952. It then closed for a three-day refresh, reopening as the Time Theater on November 13, 1952, with Ivanhoe. Standard closed the Time on March 20, 1955, after which it became a short-lived church.
Marcus Theatres decided to remodel the nearby Orpheum in the fall of 1957. The Time was refreshed, and its bookings were moved to the newly updated “Time Theatre,” now equipped with widescreen, reopening on October 26, 1957, with “The Devil’s Hairpin” and “Short Cut to Hell.” It closed again on June 21, 1959.
L.F. Gran Circuit and former Time Theater manager George Hannon took over the venue and restored its Strand Theatre name on September 27, 1961, reopening with “The Young Doctors.” Hannon introduced “Uncle George’s” weekend matinee shows for children at a quarter admission price and also offered filmed operas through a season pass. Struggling to find a steady audience, the Strand hired Uwe “Skip” Jark in 1962, operating under the moniker “Strand: The House of Hits.” The L.F. Gran Circuit then sold the Strand to its final operator, Prudential Theatres Inc., which chose to close it following the June 14, 1962, showings of “Murder She Said…” and “The Broken Land.” Its final bookings were transferred to the Vic Theatre.
The venue had a final run as a community theater beginning in 1966. Used only sporadically in the 1970s, it eventually suffered a roof collapse that led to its demolition in 1982. The original blue and cream-colored frieze was salvaged during the demolition in September 1982 and donated to a local museum. The remainder of the compromised structure offered little resistance during demolition.
BTW: It was never named the Orpheum.
The McIntyre Opera House opened on December 22, 1903. After a refresh by new lessees, it reopened as the Lyric Theatre with movies on May 2, 1914.
On January 21, 1972, it offered X-Rated fare as the Playmates Theatre and occasional mainstream titles under the Lyric nameplate. As its second 30-year lease was coming due in May of 1974, a new twin-screen cinema was built opening in May of 1974 and the Lyric (with Playmates playdates) was closed permanently. It was offered for sale. BTW: It was a 220 1st Street.
The Plaza Theatre opened with “Fun in a Turkish Bath” on April 12, 1914. The architect for the project was Ralph R.C. Jackson. The Plaza was equipped with sound to remain viable and with widescreen to present CinemaScope titles. The Plaza Theatre and the neighboring Hotel burned down on June 27, 1971 ending its run. The buildings had been scheduled for demolition in urban renewal plans.
As for the Cinema I, it was a block away and in its second location. Pennington Management Co. had opened Cinema I on Pleasant Street and operated the adult Center Theatre, as well. Pennington opened the Cinema I loaction at 415 South Main Street on August 22, 1980.
It was supposed to have been programming unrated XXX adult films; but protests changed the opening to “The Blues Brothers.” The Cinema I ran Hollywood fare for two months. But in October of 1980, the Cinema ran X-Rated fare and protests were loud. When it went XXX, it created a firestorm. Cinema I operated into the summer of 1985 when it closed on May 12, 1985 with Colleen Brennen in “Trinity Brown” and Anne Sprinkle in “Dirty Looks.” The City took over the property and demolished it.
The Cinema I needs its own entry.
Grand opening was February 1, 1926 with “Just Suppose”.
The Academy’s interior was auctioned in 1979 and gutted in 1982.
William B. Stecker launched the Palace Theatre to the plans of architect Ralph R.C. Jackson on August 22, 1910. An over capacity crowd filled the 800-seat venue and the gathered saw vaudeville and movies. In January of 1923, a modern building was designed to augment “broker’s row” in downtown Fall River - and spelled the end of the Palace as it would be located at 87 Bedford Street.
The final showtime at the Palace Theater appears to be January 13, 1923 with “The Doll House.” In April of 1923, the Palace was torn down and the scrap from the building was sold at the Bedford Street location.
The Nickelodeon Musee on Pleasant Street began advertising in January of 1897. It shortened to the Nickelodeon. It closed in the Fall of 1909 and was retrofitted as a theatre likely losing the arcade units. It operated until showtimes of July 1, 1927 when a projection booth fire appears to have ended operations. It had 30 years of documentable operation - an amazing run for the Pleasant Street exhibitor. In October of 1927, the space was retrofitted becoming the Island Park Shooting Gallery amusement place.
Augustus E. Rich’s Theatre was located at 187-189 Second Street (listed initially at a different address but renumbered here). It launched with live vaudeville fare on October 22, 1894. Under new operators, Rich’s was renamed as the Puritan Theatre on November 27, 1907 exclusively with movies. The venue ended up at auction in 1909.
Julius Cahn and Lowe Theatre Company bought the Puritan in 1909 to rid the city of competition. But Cahn decided to reopen here as the downsized, 400-seat Puritan Theatre on December 25, 1912. It closed again on February 17, 1913. The building was auctioned in December of 1914 and the new buyer eventually decided to tear down the property. The building was demolished 1917.
Frank Rich’s Theatre was located at 187-189 Second Street (listed initially at a different address but renumbered here). It launched with live vaudeville fare on October 22, 1894. Rich’s was renamed as the Puritan Theatre on November 27, 1907 exclusively with movies. The venue ended up at auction in 1909.
Julius Cahn and Lowe Theatre Company bought the Puritan in 1909 to rid the city of competition. But Cahn reopened here as the 400-seat Puritan Theatre on December 25, 1912. It closed again on February 17, 1913. The building was auctioned in December of 1914 and the new buyer eventually decided to tear down the property. The building was demolished 1917.
Charles Baxter and Archibald Hall took on the Odd Fellows Building for entertainment programming in 1887. As the renamed Puritan Hall, it relaunched on December 11, 1889. Under new operators, it became Wonderland Musee & Theatre, a family entertainment center, opening in the Puritan Hall Block on May 18, 1891. It was shortened to the Wonderland Theatre. After a refresh, it reopened as the Casto Thetre with vaudeville on September 27, 1897.
The Casto became the short-lived Boston Theatre in 1907 and then became the 700-seat Premier Theatre in October of 1907 also playing only motion pictures. In 1915 and into the 1920s, the venue went in and out of business fairly regularly. The Premier came back for consistent operation beginning on April 11, 1925 with “Charley’s Aunt” on the big screen.
The Premier’s final shows were on February 2, 1928 with “Legionnaires in Paris” and “Your Wife and Mine” with Phyllis Haver and Stuart Holmes. Both the Rialto and the Premier burned down on February 3, 1928. The remaining sliver of the building was torn down later that week. This entry or the Premier entry should be combined as the Premier Theatre formerly the Puritan Hall, Wonderland Theatre, Wonderland Musee and Theatre, Casto Theatre, and Boston Theatre.
Charles Baxter and Archibald Hall took on the Odd Fellows Building for entertainment programming in 1887. As the renamed Puritan Hall, it relaunched on December 11, 1889. Under new operators, it became Wonderland Musee & Theatre, a family entertainment center, opening in the Puritan Hall Block on May 18, 1891. It was shortened to the Wonderland Theatre. After a refresh, it reopened as the Casto Thetre with vaudeville on September 27, 1897.
The Casto became the short-lived Boston Theatre in 1907 and then became the 700-seat Premier Theatre in October of 1907 also playing only motion pictures. In 1915 and into the 1920s, the venue went in and out of business fairly regularly. The Premier came back for consistent operation beginning on April 11, 1925 with “Charley’s Aunt” on the big screen.
The Premier’s final shows were on February 2, 1928 with “Legionnaires in Paris” and “Your Wife and Mine” with Phyllis Haver and Stuart Holmes. Both the Rialto and the Premier burned down on February 3, 1928. The remaining sliver of the building was torn down later that week. This entry or the Premier entry should be combined as the Premier Theatre formerly the Puritan Hall, Wonderland Theatre, Wonderland Musee and Theatre, Casto Theatre, and Boston Theatre.
The town’s tiny silent-era theatre had operated from 1915 by D.J. Bless to its end after a fire destroyed it on December 7, 1936. A new venue was built as the Weston Theatre.
Local optometrist Dr. Abe Shafer, Sr. built the Shafer Theatre and Airdome next door to each other opening on June 5, 1915 in the Airdome and later that year with the hardtop. The Airdome’s 1930 season featured RCA sound on film technology which the company said was the smallest town in the United States with a sound on film venue. Edgerton had just 427 residents at that time. The equipment was moved into the Shafer Theatre that fall.
The 1930s were challenging and local Judge Abe Shafer, Jr. closed the theater twice due to lack of ticket sales. The venues had operated seasonally until the Shafer Airdome’s final season ender, September 8, 1938’s “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” Due to Judge Shafer’s death, the family sold the theaters in 1938 to George and A.F. “Peck” Baker of Baker Enterprises which operated it briefly before closing.
The Shafer family reopened the hardtop theater before closing it in 1942. Mrs. Shafer had said that Edgerton’s tiny population and proximity to nearby Kansas City - about 35 miles away - posed great challenges. The local merchants reopened the theater operating it from 1942 until its permanent closure.