Laurel Theatre

The roots of the Laurel Theatre date back to World War I when the Laurel Auditorium Theatre first began showing silent films at the former I.O.O.F. Lodge in town. But a projection booth fire on January 27, 1936 just shy of the theatre’s 20th Anniversary ended the run there. Though that building would be repaired by the city and continue its run without movies, the Laurel moved to Main Street where Harper’s Store had moved across the street.

The Laurel Theatre launched on April 2, 1936 with Lloyd Douglas in “The Magnificent Obsession”. George L. Sulz’s operation featured a new sound, screen, drapes and seats. Sulz’s third fire there in 1938 would lead to a Streamline Moderne style makeover. The Laurel Theatre lasted into the television age likely fulfilling a 20-year leasing agreement to 1956.

The building next housed retail establishments until the 2010’s. Unfortunately, a fire on February 21, 2013 destroyed the corner bank building but spread to the former theatre turned insurance agency. The building’s damage was too great and it was demolished.

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