The Community Theatre was built on the land originally occupied by the Nelida
Theatre. In the late 1800s, the Nelida Theatre opened and served as a roller/ice rink
and town gathering center. Numerous plays, graduations and policemen's galas
were held there.
In the early morning of January 1, 1917, a fire began three buildings down from the
theatre. The Nelida was engulfed and destroyed. In late 1917, an estimated 300
community residents purchased "shares" in the theatre and helped pay for the
construction of The Community Theatre.
In 1920, the theatre opened to great success as a vaudevillian venue. For the next
50 years, the theatre served as host to dignitaries, notable entertainers and even
gangsters. Gradually, live performances gave way to motion pictures.
In 1976, two important events in the theatre occurred. While the theatre was
receiving its deposit of oil for its former heating system, a fire broke out and
destroyed the lobby. The lobby was then reconstructed into a more "modern" design
for the time. Additionally, the theatre's balcony was converted into a separate movie
theatre.
The theatre has not changed much since. It still has the same marquee as it did in
1955 and the interior design remains just as it did in the 1920s. A restoration of the
theatre is planned in the near future.
Theatre. In the late 1800s, the Nelida Theatre opened and served as a roller/ice rink
and town gathering center. Numerous plays, graduations and policemen's galas
were held there.
In the early morning of January 1, 1917, a fire began three buildings down from the
theatre. The Nelida was engulfed and destroyed. In late 1917, an estimated 300
community residents purchased "shares" in the theatre and helped pay for the
construction of The Community Theatre.
In 1920, the theatre opened to great success as a vaudevillian venue. For the next
50 years, the theatre served as host to dignitaries, notable entertainers and even
gangsters. Gradually, live performances gave way to motion pictures.
In 1976, two important events in the theatre occurred. While the theatre was
receiving its deposit of oil for its former heating system, a fire broke out and
destroyed the lobby. The lobby was then reconstructed into a more "modern" design
for the time. Additionally, the theatre's balcony was converted into a separate movie
theatre.
The theatre has not changed much since. It still has the same marquee as it did in
1955 and the interior design remains just as it did in the 1920s. A restoration of the
theatre is planned in the near future.
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