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The History Book Committee is looking for pictures of the old theater storefront.
By Marilyn Ringold
Howard Lake
In February of 1940 the Triangle Theatre – owned by Albert Filbey – changed management. The new leaser was to be S. Malisow.
The name of the theatre was changed to the Howard Lake Theatre.
Malisow was quoted as saying, “I shall do my utmost to bring good, wholesome, up-to-date pictures to the theatre.”
At this time evening theatre tickets were 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. An ad from 1945 indicates the theatre was open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week.
The theatre must have changed hands before closing prior to 1952, as in May of 1952 Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Klucas purchased the theatre building from Mrs. Tremann of Minneapolis.
In July of 1952, the theater building was remodeled into retail space by the Klucas Clothing Store, according to the Howard Lake Herald.
The old cement floor, which was nearly four feet lower at the north end of the builidng than the south entrance, was fashioned into a new wooden floor that was level with the front (as it stands today).
The old front was torn out and canopy taken down. The Historical Committee is looking for a photo of this canopy or anything that shows the old theater (even group shots that would show the theater in the background).
Two large show windows were added, with a metal covered door to match the display windows set in between.
The room in front, which was used as a lobby in the theater, was redecorated and made into a nursery.
The upstairs booth, where the projected was located, was made into an office. It was reported to be air conditioned.
The improvements were completed by Sept. 1, 1952. Klucas’ Clothing Store opened after the remodeling was completed on Sept. 1, 1952.
In visiting with a few folks, everyone remembers the clothing store as Montgomery Clothing. As the story goes, Marie Montgomery might have worked for the Klucas’ and later purchased the store. There also has been some research to indicate that movies were being viewed as far back as 1918.
As we know, Herald Journal Publishing is now the owner of the building that housed the theatre and clothing stores.
If anyone has information that can fill in the years with information of who, when and how the theatre was operated, please contact Lynda Jensen, (320) 282-6558, or Marilyn Ringold, (320) 543-3630.
Also, if anyone has any photos of the theatre, such as a full front picture, please let either of these individuals know.
Deadline is Friday for book
The deadline for the History Book has been extended to Friday, May 9 for those who are interested in contributing copy; but you must call to ensure that whatever you are working on is accounted for in the book.
The new book will be a complete reprint of the first book, as well as an update from the past 30 years
“The Howard Lake History Book, 130 years of the Good Life,” will contain reprinted articles from the newspaper, such as flood pictures, the Scheer popcorn wagon, Timber Dahlberg, ice-out dates on the lake, the Highway 12 reconstruction; and Flood of 2002, and other stories.
Please make contact now if you are holding a treasure or some information we need to know: call Lynda at (320) 282-6558, Stan Diers at (320) 543-2947, or Marilyn Ringold at (320) 543-3630.
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