Ritz Theatre (Brunswick, Georgia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ritz Theatre |
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The Ritz Theatre in 2015
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| Former names | Grand Opera House |
| General information | |
| Address | 1530 Newcastle Street |
| Town or city | Brunswick, Georgia |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 31°09′01″N 81°29′44″W / 31.150351°N 81.495483°W |
| Completed | 1899 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
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Ritz Theatre
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Part of | Brunswick Old Town Historic District (ID79000727) |
| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1979 |
The Ritz Theatre is a very old and important building in Brunswick, Georgia. It was built way back in 1899. At first, it was a place for live shows called an opera house. Later, it became a special movie theater known as a movie palace.
Today, the city of Brunswick owns the building. It is a special part of the Brunswick Old Town Historic District. This means it helps show the history of the area.
The Story of the Ritz Theatre
The building we now call the Ritz Theatre first opened in 1899. It was known as the Grand Opera House. People had been planning this new opera house since 1895. It was built to replace an older opera house, the L'Arioso Opera House. That building was sadly destroyed by a big storm in 1896.
What Was Inside?
The Grand Opera House was more than just a theater. The first floor had many shops where people could buy things. The second and third floors were used as offices. These were the main offices for a train company, the Brunswick and Birmingham Railroad.
Becoming the Ritz
In the 1920s or 1930s, the building got a big makeover. It was updated with new features, including a bright sign called a marquee. After these changes, it was given a new name: the Ritz Theatre. It also changed from an opera house to a movie palace. This meant it was a fancy place to watch movies.
During this time, people of different races had to use separate entrances and seating areas. For example, African Americans would enter through a different door. They would watch the movies from the balcony section.
The Ritz Today
In 1980, the city of Brunswick bought the Ritz Theatre. Since 1989, a group called the Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association has managed it. They make sure the theater stays busy. Today, you can go there to see live performances. They also show movies and host other art exhibits. It's a great place for the community to enjoy arts and culture.
