The Elroy Theatre
122 Main St.
Elroy, WI 53929
608-462-4990
122 Main St.
Elroy, WI 53929
608-462-4990
In the same year Gone With the Wind and Snow White debuted on the screen, an event like no other occurred in a small town in Wisconsin. An excerpt of the original article written in the Elroy Leader-Tribune on December 28th, 1937, was as follows:
"The New Elroy Theatre opened its doors last night and a vast crowd of people entered to behold one of the finest and most beautiful theatres in Wisconsin. Eskin Theatres, Inc., Jerry Waller the manager, and the people of Elroy and surrounding country, may well be proud of this last word in entertainment houses – it is indeed The Theatre Beautiful."
"The theatre proper is artistically and harmoniously decorated, with an indirect lighting system which is especially beautiful around the proscenium. The walls are finished with the latest acoustic plaster which assures the sound will be realistic...
"The people of Elroy most surely should appreciate the efforts of Mr. Eskin and Mr. Melcher, who are taking considerable chance in investing so much money in a town the size of Elroy. ..This theatre also is another big boost for Elroy, which is apparently advancing along all lines."
The box office was opened at 6:30 every night of the week with additional matinee shows on the weekends. The admission cost was 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Much was made of the "modern electric heating and air conditioning” as well as the "reliable picture quality the carbon arc projector provides.”
In an article written in the twenty years later, citizens recalled the building of the theatre. "The wall are three bricks thick and came from the city street," long-time citizen Tilmar Roalkvam recalled. At times, 30 men worked on building the theatre including the future owner Ed Bones. A local icon over the years was Blanche Fowler, who used to sell popcorn in a stand across the street from the previous theatre in the 1920’s, also sold within The Elroy Theatre. Mrs. Fowler was remembered for the flower that was always in her hair and, as Doris Picha recalled, "always looking like a million bucks.”
Often times the show house would be sold out, even with 500 seats. Tilmar remembered the busiest nights as Tuesday and Wednesday because they were double feature nights. Bank Night was on Thursday and some lucky customer would win $25.00. Ethel Waterman recalled working as an usher in high school at The Elroy Theatre.
In 1957, The Elroy Theatre was purchased by long-time employee and life-time enthusiast Ed Bones.
