Kind of hard to tell exactly from one of the pictures posted above, but methinks that the site of the Rio is now occuped either by the Appleton Public Library or parking ramp across the street from it.
LM, Thank you so much for posting that photo. I truly haven’t seen a good picture of that theatre since it was torn down in 1993! I think the marquee was gone several years before the theatre was demolished, though, but the vertical “Gail” sign was there right up until the end. Thank you again!
The Elroy Theatre opened in December 1937 and continues to show first run movies today. It was purchased by new owners in recent years who have spent much time and money rennovating and updating the place. I have friends in Elroy who tell me that the theatre does good business, which is not suprising considering the nearest theatres (all multiplexes) are at least 25 miles away.
I checked that obit….I’m pretty sure she would be the owner of the Fox like you mentioned, since Jeanette Andrae Sanders is how the obit read, and Andrae was the name of the man who built the Fox in 1894.
Probably goes to her children. Maybe now we will start to see things happen with the place. Who knows…. BTW, the marquee is on again, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen it lit.
“Resurrecting the downtown would start with the Fox….”
That it would, that it would! Probably about 98% of Stevens Point residents would also agree…
The last time I saw any activity around the place was shortly after New Years, when I saw some moving vans parked out front moving projection and sound equipment into the place. The lights under the canopy are usually on at night, but it’s been several months since I’ve seen the marquee lit up (but it’s still super to have a working marquee finally!)
I was talking about the pictures you were asking about; I don’t have any other ones than what are at that link (as well as some pictures of the new marquee I took myself; but you’ve seen the new marquee I’m sure).
Also my date of a late 30’s rennovation is incorrect. The current interior would be a result of the 1929 rennovation when Fox took over management. The balcony is still there but the boxes appear to be gone.
About 1940 was when the present marquee was installed.
Nevermind; the pictures I have are taken from the Library of Congress site link Ed provided a few posts back. The pictures can be seen there. The pictures of the interior are most certainly not recent. I visited that website several months ago.
The interior must have been quite ornate, according to the description. It is not so anymore, since the theatre was redecorated in the late 1930s in the art deco style (confirmed by pictures I have seen). I wonder if the theatre’s Barton organ (installed in 1925) is still there; most likely not, unfortunately.
I do not know them – but the “little old lady” thing is, again, what I have heard. I recall reading elsewhere on this board that they (or at least she) really were bitter at the city over the mall, that they would not deal with the city in person, and instead sent their 13 year old grandson.
You could try that, but from what I’ve heard about the owners, that isn’t likely to happen, unfortunately. Unless of course the little old lady that owns it has passed on the ownership to her heirs or whatever.
Yes, that Rogers Cinemas, but get ahold of their main office, if any (as they also have theatres in Marshfield, Rapids, Waupaca, Bever Dam, and one or two others)…if you speak to management at the theatre here in town, they would probably have no clue what you’re talking about….
I know the owners have been very hush hush about what’s going on regarding the place right now. If you’re interested in finding out what the last movie that played there was, maybe try getting in contact with Rogers Theatres (yes, THAT Rogers Theatres), as they were the ones operating the theatre at the time it closed, having bought out the lease in the late 70s.
Yeah, the doors were open while they were moving the stuff in, and there were lights on inside (I was coming out of the Library and just ever so casually walked past). But then again, I saw the doors open several times while the people were working on the marquee a couple months ago.
However, if the theater is going to open (and all the signs are pointing toward yes), I’m sure it needs more work than just a refurbished sign and new projectors – remember, the place has been shut for over 20 years.
Kind of hard to tell exactly from one of the pictures posted above, but methinks that the site of the Rio is now occuped either by the Appleton Public Library or parking ramp across the street from it.
I should add that the site of the former Gail theatre is one of several lots now occupied by the Hatch Public Library
LM, Thank you so much for posting that photo. I truly haven’t seen a good picture of that theatre since it was torn down in 1993! I think the marquee was gone several years before the theatre was demolished, though, but the vertical “Gail” sign was there right up until the end. Thank you again!
Oops… the correct link for the theatre is
http://elroytheatre.elroychamber.com/index.htm
The one I provided above is for the site’s “History” section.
The Elroy Theatre opened in December 1937 and continues to show first run movies today. It was purchased by new owners in recent years who have spent much time and money rennovating and updating the place. I have friends in Elroy who tell me that the theatre does good business, which is not suprising considering the nearest theatres (all multiplexes) are at least 25 miles away.
The theatre’s website is http://elroytheatre.elroychamber.com/history.html
I checked that obit….I’m pretty sure she would be the owner of the Fox like you mentioned, since Jeanette Andrae Sanders is how the obit read, and Andrae was the name of the man who built the Fox in 1894.
Probably goes to her children. Maybe now we will start to see things happen with the place. Who knows…. BTW, the marquee is on again, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen it lit.
“Resurrecting the downtown would start with the Fox….”
That it would, that it would! Probably about 98% of Stevens Point residents would also agree…
The last time I saw any activity around the place was shortly after New Years, when I saw some moving vans parked out front moving projection and sound equipment into the place. The lights under the canopy are usually on at night, but it’s been several months since I’ve seen the marquee lit up (but it’s still super to have a working marquee finally!)
At least this theatre was retained; original plans for Overture called for the complete demolition of the Capitol Theatre.
No, the Madison is not the Majestic.
No, nothing is left of it. With all the development in the area—especially Noah’s Ark—there is no trace that there was ever a drive-n here.
If you watch the docu video that is available at the Portage County Library as well as at the UWSP library, the video talks about this cooking school.
I was talking about the pictures you were asking about; I don’t have any other ones than what are at that link (as well as some pictures of the new marquee I took myself; but you’ve seen the new marquee I’m sure).
None more than what are there.
Also my date of a late 30’s rennovation is incorrect. The current interior would be a result of the 1929 rennovation when Fox took over management. The balcony is still there but the boxes appear to be gone.
About 1940 was when the present marquee was installed.
Nevermind; the pictures I have are taken from the Library of Congress site link Ed provided a few posts back. The pictures can be seen there. The pictures of the interior are most certainly not recent. I visited that website several months ago.
pierced,
What is your email; I will send them to you.
The interior must have been quite ornate, according to the description. It is not so anymore, since the theatre was redecorated in the late 1930s in the art deco style (confirmed by pictures I have seen). I wonder if the theatre’s Barton organ (installed in 1925) is still there; most likely not, unfortunately.
Like I said, the ownership may have by now passed out of her hands – who knows?
Like I said, the ownership may have by now passed out of her hands – who knows?
I do not know them – but the “little old lady” thing is, again, what I have heard. I recall reading elsewhere on this board that they (or at least she) really were bitter at the city over the mall, that they would not deal with the city in person, and instead sent their 13 year old grandson.
You could try that, but from what I’ve heard about the owners, that isn’t likely to happen, unfortunately. Unless of course the little old lady that owns it has passed on the ownership to her heirs or whatever.
Yes, that Rogers Cinemas, but get ahold of their main office, if any (as they also have theatres in Marshfield, Rapids, Waupaca, Bever Dam, and one or two others)…if you speak to management at the theatre here in town, they would probably have no clue what you’re talking about….
I know the owners have been very hush hush about what’s going on regarding the place right now. If you’re interested in finding out what the last movie that played there was, maybe try getting in contact with Rogers Theatres (yes, THAT Rogers Theatres), as they were the ones operating the theatre at the time it closed, having bought out the lease in the late 70s.
Yeah, the doors were open while they were moving the stuff in, and there were lights on inside (I was coming out of the Library and just ever so casually walked past). But then again, I saw the doors open several times while the people were working on the marquee a couple months ago.
However, if the theater is going to open (and all the signs are pointing toward yes), I’m sure it needs more work than just a refurbished sign and new projectors – remember, the place has been shut for over 20 years.
Only time will tell