College Theatre
505 Main Avenue,
Brookings,
SD
57006
505 Main Avenue,
Brookings,
SD
57006
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Additional Info
Architects: Perry E. Crosier
Functions: Gymnasium
Styles: Streamline Moderne
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Built on the site of the Grand Opera House. This Moderne-style movie house opened in 1941, and was designed by architect Perry E. Crosier for Frank McCarthy ‘an experienced theatre man’, who owned the theatre. All seating was on a single floor and there was a crying room located on the left of the projection booth. There was a large mural on each of the side-walls, depicting the four seasons. The carpets were fluorescent, and glowed dimly in the dark. It was closed around 1980.
It currently functions as a gymnastics studio.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
The College theater ran a 6 week reserved seat engagement of The Sound of Music in 1966. The carbon arc lamps from the drive in were moved into the College during the winter months and the College closed in the summer when the drive in was open and used the lamps. and yes, the picture at the College was quite bright even though the lamps were turned down from their drive in settings.
Not sure when it closed, but it was already a video store by 1987 when it was photographed for the NRHP listing. There is now a neon sign which may be a recreation of the original, but the facade has been painted in a tacky house-flipper scheme.
The update to the 1987 NRHP listing says that the theater was built in 1940. It may not have been completed until 1941? It seems to have been closed around 1980, and by the late ‘80s the ticket booth and entry doors had been replaced by the cheap entry there today. The listing says that Perry E. Crosier was the architect. Frank McCarthy was the man it was built for.