Luxurious cinemas were once the heart of the city center

SUPERIOR, Wisc. (Northern News Now) – Ely’s State Theater turned 88 last week.

It was built during the Great Depression, when Hollywood wanted people with limited incomes to spend their money and their money on escapism.

In the 1930s, movie theaters created large spaces to give people the impression that they were enjoying a few hours of entertainment in an artsy, modern theater like the State.

“It just has that classic Art Deco look and was the center of the community. People came here to have a shared experience at the movie theaters,” said Reed Petersen, a history instructor at the Minnesota North Vermilion Campus.

Seventy-five years ago, The Palace was the place where people in Superior shared their shared experience.

Jon Winter says his father, in those pre-TV days, got a full morning of entertainment for a bargain price.

“For a quarter of a year he could go to the movies, eat popcorn and then grab ice cream at Bridgeman’s on the way home,” Winter said.

Adjusted for inflation, that’s only 3:50. Winter is at the Douglas County Historical Society.

At least for Superior, he tells us that the golden age of downtown theaters ended with the advent of the multiplex.

“When Superior Mariner Mall opened in 1980, there were three theaters there, and that was the downfall of downtown and downtown theaters,” Winter said.

Since then, the palace has been demolished and many others have been rebuilt for other purposes, such as the Maco in Virginia.

Some, like the Comet in Cook and the Norshor in Duluth, have been restored to their original glory.

Others, like the Princess in Superior, are currently undergoing renovations.

Bob Boone, who redesigned the West Theater on Central Avenue, believes these spaces are important for a sense of community.

“I want the public to be aware of how important old movie theaters are, especially when movie theaters are moving downtown.”

That gives hope to places like Tacora in Aurora that are still patiently waiting for a Hollywood revival.

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