The Auditorium, located at 2nd Street and Park Ave. So. (US Hwy. 71), stood for more than 25 years. Photos indicate neither the highway nor city street were paved yet when they were taken.  At some point, handsome doors with windows were replaced.

This site has been a part of the arts and cultural life of Park Rapids for over a century. In 1913, Park Rapids officials commissioned local contractor and draftsman T. C. Myers to design an auditorium for the town. The construction was completed late in 1913, and the opening night was held January 8, 1914. High school students performed the play "Pygmalion and Galatea" to a packed theater.

The auditorium was designed to be a gathering place for all Park Rapids residents, young and old alike. School ceremonies, theater productions, and the high school commencement ceremony used the theater space. Gym classes were held in the basement of the building. The community came to watch movies on Friday nights. The theater was host to many community productions and concerts.

In 1940, the city received a Works Projects Administration (WPA) grant of $43,000 to build an addition to the Armory. The construction plans called for the old auditorium to be demolished and the Armory addition built in its place. When the new addition was in place in 1941, it took over many of the functions of the former auditorium.

Now, as a part of the Armory Arts and Events Center, this site is once again a gathering place for Park Rapids residents and visitors alike.

203 Park Avenue South
Park Rapids, MN 56470

Open Site Location on Google Maps
46.9209490376326, -95.0587657563431