Bismarck has had several movie theaters through history operating as “Grand Theater,” including the current Grand.
The original Grand Theater opened in 1909. It was located on Main Avenue inside the Webb Block and became Bismarck Theater in 1912. It closed in either 1921 or 1922.
Another Grand Theater opened in 1913, located at 219 Fourth Street in what was then known as the Hinckley building. Sources conflict on whether it was September or October of that year but a Tribune article dated September 27 announces the new theater’s name for the first time and infers it wasn’t yet open.
George Halliday acquired Grand Theater in November 1919 and re-opened it after remodeling under the name Rex Theater.
The theater was purchased in December 1921, at which time it became Rialto Theater. One source says it closed in 1931, which seems accurate considering there are no references to it after that year.
