The Avalon Theater

The new Avalon Theater opened in May 1929, the year this photo of the interior was taken, at 209 West Main Street. It replaced the Monroe Theater at 119 West Main Street and was called by that name until January 7, 1931, when a 14-foot neon sign bearing the "Avalon" name was erected above the marquee. Lee Kirby was the original manager and later became the owner. The Avalon operated for 35 years finally closing in February 1966 and was torn down in 1968. The site is now part of the Frontier Bank parking lot. Florenz Zigfield's Rio Rita was the first talking picture to be shown in Monroe here on March 27, 1930. A film projector and a number of movie posters from the Avalon are on display at the Monroe Historical Society Museum.

--Monroe Historical Society photo #398.