Star Theatre (Argyle, Wisconsin)

Star Theatre, also known as Partridge Hall, is a shop/meeting hall/theater built in 1878 in Argyle, Wisconsin, in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[1][2]

Star Theatre
Star Theatre (Argyle, Wisconsin) is located in Wisconsin
Star Theatre (Argyle, Wisconsin)
Star Theatre (Argyle, Wisconsin) is located in the United States
Star Theatre (Argyle, Wisconsin)
Location200 S. State St., Argyle, Wisconsin
Coordinates42°41′59″N 89°52′2″W / 42.69972°N 89.86722°W / 42.69972; -89.86722
Built1878
ArchitectAlanson Partridge
NRHP reference No.80000154
Added to NRHPNovember 7, 1980[1]

Alanson Partridge was a carpenter who moved from New York to Wisconsin in 1856. In 1878 he built the north wing of the building, with his carpentry shop on the first floor and a large hall above. It was called Partridge Hall, and rented for meetings, dances, and meals. Partridge himself sponsored some events like a Christmas Ball, and advertised it with barkers in the streets. Partridge advocated temperance, so alcohol was not served there. Some time after 1881 he added the south wing.[3]

The building is two stories, frame covered with clapboards. Most of the windows have curved tops and the east gable is decorated with a bell-shaped fascia. The hall on the second floor had a stage.[3]

In 1908 Partridge sold his hall to Argyle's Modern Woodmen of America. They continued to rent out the hall, and it remained a social center of the community, hosting meetings, proms, lectures, roller skating, and basketball games. In 1920 the hall was renamed the Star Theatre, and began to show motion pictures: silent films and talkies.[3]

In 1945 the movies stopped and the building sat idle. For a while it was used as a hatchery. Around 1980 it was restored to house shops and a restaurant.[3]

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References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ "Star Theatre". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  3. ^ a b c d Terry L. Shoptaugh; Diane H. Filipowicz (1980-06-08). "NRHP Registration: Star Theatre". National Park Service. With two photos.