Antlers
Theater
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The Antlers
Theater, ca. 1920. Located at 16 N. Main, at the foot of Grand
St., the Antlers was open by 1914, when it acquired a Schuelke
organ. The theater was remodeled in 1925, and operated until
early 1953, albeit with an interruption in cinema presentations
during World War II.
During
The War, the theatre was rented for use by various religious
organizations. It was remodeled and reopened for cinema in
1946, closing in January of 1953.
In 1954,
the space was converted for retail, and the Diana Shops chain
opened a ready-to-wear store for women and girls, which closed
around 1966. Fire destroyed the building, which housed the
theater and various other businesees, on February 26, 1967.
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Antlers
Theatre Location
The
façade of the Antlers Theater, May 29, 1939
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This unique
image was contributed by Mr. Ray Cumming, now of Palo Alto,
California, who writes:
"The
Antlers Theater photo is especially nostalgic for
me. I spent a lot of time there in my youth watching serials,
cartoons and features.
I
can tell you exactly where the Antlers was located.
It was on the west side of Last Chance Gulch at the
center of its intersection with Grand Street. It is
central in the attached photo of a frame of VCR-converted
8mm film, exposed from Grand Street on 5/29/1939 during
Prince
Olav of Norway's visit to Helena.
I
lived in Helena with my parents and brother from 1933
to 1950, attended Central grades 1-6 while living on
Grand Street in the Helena Apartments, then Hawthorne
grades 7-8, HHS grades 9-12, and two years at Carroll
while living on W. Lawrence and Clark Streets."
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Many thanks
to Mr. Cumming for the use of this remarkable image, and for
filling us in on the location of the Antlers.
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Various
Evangelistic Groups Rented the Antlers During World War II
1946
Renovation
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Remodeling
Contractor Injured
Mr. Blain
recovered, and lived another 13 years.
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Antlers
Theater Marquee, May 4, 1950
THE
WES AND CAROL SYNNESS COLLECTION
Kelly's
Barber Shop, Next Door
Barber Oscar
Jarvi in Front, 1940s
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN
A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
| To the right
(north) of the entrance to the Antlers Theater was Kelly's Barber
Shop, owned and operated by Charles F. Kelly (1885-1952). Pictured
above, in front of the shop at 18 North Main, is Oscar Jarvi (1888-1974),
another long-time Helena barber. |
Barbers
Charles F. Kelly and Oscar Jarvi Read of Nazi Surrender
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