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Take a look at Bradenton theaters over 100 years. Remember the Olympia or Wallace?

Tiffany Tompkins

Since the early 1900s, Manatee County residents have shown love to various theaters and entertainment venues.

From the Olympia Theater in Palmetto and the Wallace Theater in Bradenton, which opened in 1916-17, to the modern state-of-the-art Manatee Performing Arts Center built in 2015, the area has a history of enjoying its theaters.

Take a look at how Manatee County has enjoyed movies and live entertainment through the lens of these historic images.

The Palmetto Drive-In Theater’s huge screen while under construction in 1951. The theater property occupied 17 acres and could accommodate 400 cars. The screen was 44 feet high and 50 feet wide. It was located one mile North of Palmetto on U.S. 41 and was destroyed by a tornado in 1958. It was rebuilt in 1959 and closed in the 1980’s when the property was sold to the North Manatee R.V. and boat storage business in 1997.
Ronni and Scott Sever purchase tickets for Spiderman with their children, Zane and Bailey at the Royal Palm 20 Theater in 2002.
Ronni and Scott Sever purchase tickets for Spiderman with their children, Zane and Bailey at the Royal Palm 20 Theater in 2002.
The Wallace Theater was built in 1916-17 by businessman George B. Wallace and sat on the southeast corner of 14th Street West and Manatee Avenue. Historical records say it closed soon after the depression, reopened in 1940 and was destroyed by fire in 1953.
The Wallace Theater was built in 1916-17 by businessman George B. Wallace and sat on the southeast corner of 14th Street West and Manatee Avenue. Historical records say it closed soon after the depression, reopened in 1940 and was destroyed by fire in 1953.
A view of the curtain in the Warren Opera House showing a painted scene from Venice, Italy in 1905.
A view of the curtain in the Warren Opera House showing a painted scene from Venice, Italy in 1905.
Aerial view of the Ramada Inn and drive-in movie at U.S. 41 and U.S. 19 in Palmetto in the 1960’s.
Aerial view of the Ramada Inn and drive-in movie at U.S. 41 and U.S. 19 in Palmetto in the 1960’s.
The Oakmont 8 Cinemas in 2001 at 4801 Cortez Road; owned by Regal Cinemas which owns three movie theaters in Manatee County.
The Oakmont 8 Cinemas in 2001 at 4801 Cortez Road; owned by Regal Cinemas which owns three movie theaters in Manatee County.
Manatee Players groundbreaking ceremony in 1977
Manatee Players groundbreaking ceremony in 1977
The Capri Theatre opened on 522 13th Street West in 1924 as the Palace Theatre. It was remodeled in the mid-1960’s and reopened and in 1972 it became an adult film theater and was closed after a police raid in 1975.
The Capri Theatre opened on 522 13th Street West in 1924 as the Palace Theatre. It was remodeled in the mid-1960’s and reopened and in 1972 it became an adult film theater and was closed after a police raid in 1975.
The Capri Theatre opened on 522 13th Street West in 1924 as the Palace Theatre. It was remodeled in the mid-1960’s and reopened and in 1972 it became an adult film theater and was closed after a police raid in 1975.
The Capri Theatre opened on 522 13th Street West in 1924 as the Palace Theatre. It was remodeled in the mid-1960’s and reopened and in 1972 it became an adult film theater and was closed after a police raid in 1975.
People line up to buy tickets in 2004 at the DeSoto Dollar Movie Theater in the DeSoto Square Mall.
People line up to buy tickets in 2004 at the DeSoto Dollar Movie Theater in the DeSoto Square Mall.
Looking east over a restaurant and movie development at 2615 26th Street West in Bradenton. This was the eventual home of a small movie theater and a restaurant owned by Chris McGuire (of the 1950s-1960s pop group the McGuire Sisters ). It was called McGuire’s Pub and was the first of a chain of restaurants (later small movie theaters were added) with locations on the east coast of Florida. The Bradenton location opened August 30, 1968.
Construction of the new Litchfield 8 Cinema at 7150 Cortez Road. In 1991 the theater became known as Cobb Bradenton 8. In 1993 it became a second-run theater and then closed in 2001.
Construction of the new Litchfield 8 Cinema at 7150 Cortez Road. In 1991 the theater became known as Cobb Bradenton 8. In 1993 it became a second-run theater and then closed in 2001.
Exterior of the 1916 Olympia Theatre, 512 10th Ave W, Palmetto. The theatre was purported to be the first movie theater on the West coast of Florida. It first closed in 1956. It then housed various restaurants until 2009 when it was restored as the Olympia Performing Arts Center. In 2011 the performing arts center closed. As of 2020, the building is almost unrecognizable, as it is vacant and covered in ivy.
Workers with H & R Steel Inc., Lakeland, put trusses in place as they construct a new covered drop-off area at the main entrance to the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton. The cover and the installation of new automatic doors will be completed by Aug. 11, in time for the season opening production of the musical CATS, according to Janene Amick, executive director. GRANT JEFFERIES/Bradenton Herald

This story is one in a series the Bradenton Herald is producing to celebrate 100 years of publishing in Manatee County.