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FARGO — With streaming motion pictures and music, sports activities enviornment mega-concerts and multiplex theaters, it’s arduous to examine a time once you needed to seize your coat and hat, and head downtown to gaze on a stage or display.
For a lot of the twentieth century, downtowns weren’t solely the place you shopped and did enterprise, however cultural facilities.
Whether it was the opera, vaudeville, silent movies or “talkies,” that is the place you went to plunk down your hard-earned nickels, dimes and {dollars} and packed into theaters to be enthralled by angelic voices, jugglers, comics, magicians, and the wonders of every age.
More than 20 theaters operated in Fargo-Moorhead’s downtowns over the numerous a long time. Here’s a glance again at them:
(For simplicity, theaters working exterior of the downtowns, together with school and college theaters, aren’t included on this checklist.)
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– Jasper B. Chapin constructed a 25-foot by 123-foot constructing on the northeast nook of Broadway and NP Avenue in 1878. The higher flooring was used as a theater and was generally known as Chapin Hall. It turned generally known as the “Opera House” in 1883 and largely supplanted McHench Hall as Fargo’s main theater. The theater hosted virtually 400 displays from Shakespeare to minstrel reveals earlier than it was destroyed within the Great Fargo Fire of 1893.
The Fargo Opera House because it appeared within the June 7, 1894, version of Fargo’s Daily Argus newspaper. Contributed / North Dakota State University Archives
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– The second Opera House was on the southeast nook of Second Avenue North and Roberts Street. It was in-built 1893, simply after the nice hearth. It, too, was destroyed by hearth in 1912. It was by no means changed. The Graver Hotel, in-built 1917, stands on that web site.
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106 Broadway – The first transferring image theater in Fargo opened in April 1906. It was additionally the primary movie show in North Dakota. The Bijou marketed within the 1907 Fargo Forum as offering “high class and refined vaudeville.” It charged 10-cent admission within the afternoon for adults. Entertainment included “live motion pictures” utilizing “The Cameragraph.” It was bought to the American Amusement Co. of Minneapolis in June 1915 and have become the Garrick Theater.
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106 Broadway (previously the Bijou) – Opening day for the Garrick was Sept. 27, 1915. Here’s one description: “The arrangement of the building and the decorations are the finest in the west. … Every seat in the house, over 900 in number, has a clear view of the screen and there are no undesirable seats.” By 1932 the Garrick was now not listed in metropolis directories and Grant’s division retailer was as an alternative.
The Grand Theater at 622 1st Ave. N., Fargo, was lit up for enterprise on the night time of Sept. 3, 1942. The movie was “Blondie For Victory,” starring Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton. Contributed / North Dakota State University Archives
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622 1st Ave. N. – The Grand Theatre was constructed by George “Dad” Fowler, and opened in 1906 as a vaudeville theater. One of the primary bookings was Al Jolson. Charlie Chaplin performed on the Grand when his charge was $35 per week and prepare fare. As vaudeville pale from reputation, the Grand’s viewers pale, too. The final vaudeville present was in 1927. At about 1 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 1932, hearth broke out within the abandoned constructing. The Grand was rebuilt in 1935 as a movie show. It lasted into the Sixties.
Actors from Fargo College pose in costume onstage on the Grand Theater in downtown Fargo on this photograph, dated April 14, 1913. The photographer is unknown, however the solid of the Shakespeare play “Comedy of Errors” was listed as: Antipholus of Syracuse – Allen Carpenter; Antipholus of Ephesus – Aloysius Simonitsch; Dromio of Syracuse & Dromio of Ephesus – Axel Aronson; Aegeon – H. J. Gross; Angelo – Melvin Hildreth; Solinus – Freeman Talbot; Balthazar – William Keye; Adriana – Frances Emery; Luciana – Florence Sell; Luce – Peggy Claire; Egeus – William Titus; Phryne – Lucy McGrath; Lysander – David Whitney; Pinch – Freeman Talbon; Aemilia – Vivian Shute; Soldiers – Paul Graham and Clair Codding. Contributed / North Dakota State University Archives
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115 Broadway – The Ideal opened in 1906 and seated 400. Nerhaugen’s Union Orchestra performed there. The title of the Ideal was modified to the Savoy when it was bought in 1910.
- Savoy Theater, 115 Broadway – W.C. Clavier got here to Fargo after proudly owning a “picture house” in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He persuaded a enterprise affiliate, W.J. Hawk, to run the Savoy as a five-cent image home. Clavier took over operation of the Savoy in 1913.
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115 Broadway – In the winter of 1917, W.J. Hawk transformed the Savoy and reopened it in February 1918 because the Liberty. The theater was destroyed by hearth in 1924.
The Isis Theater at 218 Broadway in downtown Fargo is seen at left on this photograph from 1952. Next to it’s B. F. Goodrich, and Hughes Apparel Store. The Isis marquee was promoting the Western “Oklahoma Annie” starring Judy Canova. Contributed / North Dakota State University Archives
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218 Broadway – Opened in 1913, and was extensively transformed in 1945, with air con, a listening to support system for deaf moviegoers, and a crying room for moms with fretting youngsters. The Saturday, Nov. 19, 1955, matinee that includes Greer Garson within the western “Strange Lady in Town” was the final film to play there.
A fire started in the furnace room and it took firefighters four hours to extinguish.
Residents of the Isis Hotel and flats above the theater had been evacuated. The theater by no means reopened, although the Isis Hotel did.
A coloured postcard created about 1910 reveals the Orpheum Theater in downtown Fargo. The three story Classical Revival type constructing had spandrels over home windows on the highest flooring, a bracketed cornice and the phrase “Orpheum” above the primary entry and marquee. The postcard had been postmarked from Arthur, N.D., on June 22, 1912, and was despatched to Mrs. Hans Myrah of Davenport, N.D. Contributed / North Dakota State University Archives
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611 NP Ave. – The constructing that housed the Orpheum was in-built 1896 for the Fargo Mercantile Company. It was bought in 1909, and transformed into the Orpheum, which opened in March 1911 for vaudeville and stage reveals. It closed in 1936, and was underused for a few years. In 1960, the constructing was torn down for a parking zone.
The Princess Theater was “Your Family Theatre” within the Sixties, in response to the marquee at 415 NP Ave. in downtown Fargo. Adult admission was 25 cents and kids had been 15 cents. To the proper is the Hotel Iverson. Contributed / North Dakota State University Archives
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415 NP Ave. – It was opened in 1914 by Amos Tweeden. It was bought by Leonard Jansen round 1951 and he continued to function it till 1962 or 1963. Ticket costs in 1960 had been 10 cents for kids and 35 cents for adults.
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117 Broadway – The Roxy opened on Monday, March 7, 1932. Adult tickets had been 15 cents for a matinee and 20 cents within the night. Children had been 10 cents always. In 1977, the Roxy was renamed the Broadway Theater. It ended its days exhibiting grownup movies, closing within the mid-Eighties.
The Roxy Theater at 117 Broadway is seen on this Oct. 9, 1941 photograph of the North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU) homecoming parade transferring via downtown Fargo. Homecoming queen Betty Olson was seated on again of the convertible holding a big bouquet of flowers. Marching beside the automotive had been males in navy uniforms, probably ROTC college students. The Roxy’s marquee marketed the film “The Invisible Woman,” starring Virginia Bruce, John Barrymore and Charlie Ruggles. Contributed / North Dakota State University Archives
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508 NP Ave. – In 1920 W.J. Hawk bought the constructing that may develop into the State Theater from the Advance Rumley Co. After a $250,000 renovation, it opened Nov. 28,1921. The theater may seat 1,350 and was the most important in North Dakota on the time, with an orchestra pit and a Robert Morton pipe organ. The first transferring image proven on the theater was “The Wonderful Thing” starring Norma Talmadge. W.C. Clavier was the working supervisor (he additionally managed the Liberty Theater). It later turned the Towne Theater.
The State Theater at 508 NP Ave., Fargo, because it appeared someday within the Twenties. On the north aspect of the road are the N.P. Avenue Meat Market, Elgin Hotel, South and Spicer Cigar Shop, Postal Telegraph Co., and the Metropole Hotel. In 1951, the State was bought and was the Towne Theater. A streetcar is seen within the middle of the photograph. Streetcars ran on Fargo streets till 1937, finally carried out in by the recognition of vehicles and the Great Depression. Contributed / North Dakota State University Archives
- Towne Theater, 508 NP Ave. – In February 1951, the State Theater was purchased by Gordon, Francis and Helmer Aamoth, and the title was modified to the Towne Theater. In 1962, the Dakota Amusement Co. bought the Towne. In 1973, the constructing was bought by the First National Bank and Trust, and torn down for a parking zone.
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309 Broadway – The 400-seat Strand was constructed for $15,000 and opened March 29,1915, within the Sons of Norway constructing. It was owned by Christ Wilhelmson and managed by Abel Erickson. Music was offered by “The Photo-Player,” described as “the most wonderful instrument west of Chicago.” The opening night time exhibiting was “The Escape.” Wilhelmson later bought the theater, and it burned down in 1923.
The Fargo Theatre is seen on Broadway in downtown Fargo on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. The marquee boasts the blockbuster motion pictures, “Barbie” (starring Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling), and “Oppenheimer” (starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and Matt Damon). The Art Deco theater was renovated within the late Nineties and as we speak presents quite a lot of artwork home and mainstream cinema, live shows, and different occasions. David Samson/The Forum
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314 Broadway – Construction started on the Fargo theater on Sept. 15, 1925. It opened in March 1926 as a vaudeville and silent motion pictures palace. In 1937, the theater was closed for six weeks for a $40,000 redesign within the Art Moderne or Art Deco type. Minneapolis architect Jack Liebenberg oversaw the reworking. Live dramas had been provided within the Forties, together with Boris Karloff in “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Baseball nice Babe Ruth made a cease there, as did Lawrence Olivier in a Sixties manufacturing of Othello. It was the “A” film home in Fargo within the Nineteen Fifties and 60s. In 1974, the “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ, which had been unused for 3 a long time, was restored and introduced again into use. A serious renovation and restoration of the theater occurred from May 1998 to March 1999.
The Fargo Theater as seen on Oct. 20, 1941, with its marquee lights blazing. Playing was “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” starring Spenser Tracy. A big banner-style signal operating the size of marquee reads “Motion pictures are the nation’s ‘Front line of entertainment’ Attend today.” Street automotive rails nonetheless remained on the cobblestone streets of Broadway on the time. Contributed / North Dakota State University Archives
- Park Theater, 504 Front St. (now Main Avenue) – The single-screen, 325-seat Park Theater opened close to Island Park in December 1938. It was owned by H.C. Aamoth and managed by his son, Gordon Aamoth. The first providing was “Hoosier Schoolboy” starring Mickey Rooney. The Park was passed by the mid-Nineteen Fifties.
- Gateway Theater – The Gateway opened within the early Seventies within the Gateway buying middle alongside Main Avenue in downtown Fargo. It closed within the early Eighties.
- ABC Lark Theater, 630 1st Ave. N. – Groundbreaking for the Lark Theater was held in spring 1970 and it confirmed motion pictures till 1983. The Lark was was constructed on concrete piers or stilts, creating parking below the constructing. For a time, it held an indoor driving vary. It later reopened because the Cinema Grill.
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630 1st Ave. N. – Cinema Grill opened in 1997. The theater had two lobbies, two kitchens, and three massive theaters serving meals, beer and wine. It closed in May 31, 2001. The final three movies proven had been “Castaway,” “Heartbreakers,” and “Enemy at the Gates.” The constructing was torn down in 2008, and Cityscapes Plaza, a five-story mixture of flats and business area, was constructed on the location.
- The Lyceum Theatre, 40 N. 4th St. – The Lyceum opened on the east aspect of Fourth Street, north of Center Avenue someday round 1912. It remained in enterprise till about 1928 when the Moorhead Theater was opened at 414 Center Ave. The constructing was transformed right into a Gambles Store in October 1928 and later used for different retail operations. It was close to as we speak’s Center Mall parking ramp.
The Moorhead Theater on Center Avenue in 1973. The Blackhawk Lounge is on the proper and The Palace Clothiers on the left. Contributed / Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County
- Moorhead Theater, 414 Center Ave. – Moorhead Theater opened April 7, 1928, with William Haines in “The Smart Set” and Charlie Chase in “What Women Did for Me.” It was run by the Minnesota Amusement Co. after which by ABC Theatres. In December 1940 it was transformed in a Streamline Moderne type. It remained open till an city renewal initiative leveled the buildings alongside Center Avenue in 1973.
The Moorhead Theater on Center Avenue in downtown Moorhead someday throughout the Forties. Contributed / Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County
- Cinema Lounge, 2121 1st Ave. N. – Cinema Lounge first opened in 1980 within the former Bud’s Disco Roller Rink location at 2121 1st Ave. N. It was a spot the place you could possibly watch the film “Slap Shot” and have a beer. It moved to Moorhead Center Mall within the early Eighties, earlier than closing about 1989. The authentic constructing was demolished. A
restaurant is on the location.
Dave Brunsvold, Ellery Jystad and Miles Barnum star in FMCT’s April 2018 manufacturing of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” on the Stage at Island Park in Fargo John Lamb / The Forum
- Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre, Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. N. – It’s future dwelling shall be in
a building planned for the 600 block of NP Avenue.
FMCT began in 1946 in Fargo, holding productions in varied areas till the Emma Ok. Herbst Playhouse was constructed for it in 1967 in Island Park. In 2019,
structural problems caused the building to be declared unsafe
and it was razed in 2022. Groundbreaking on FMCT’s new dwelling is anticipated to start this fall.
John Noone, left, Carrie Wintersteen and Scott Horvik in Theatre B’s April 2012 manufacturing of “Becky’s New Car.” Theatre B was acting at 716 Main Ave. in Fargo on the time. John Lamb / The Forum
- Theatre B. 215 tenth St. N. (former Lincoln Elementary School) – The theater was based in 2003 and has operated in each Fargo and Moorhead. It has been in Moorhead since 2017. Previously, it had been in downtown Fargo areas for 14 years.
Background for this text comes from a number of sources, together with the North Dakota State University Archives, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, Forum reporters Dave Olson, Tracy Briggs and John Lamb, and native theater officers.
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