Three Lakes Center for the Arts

This small theater has evolved from a Quonset hut, to an architectural award-winning theater, to a gift shop, and back to the beautifully rehabilitated theater it is today.

The early theater, showing the latest movies, or close to the latest releases, really made Three Lakes feel like they had it all. Time changes everything of course and the little theater lost it's shine, became something else and fell into disrepair. Recognizing the historical importance and the cultural contribution the theater offered, the community rallied to bring it back.

While current events are up on the marquee, a visit to the Center's website is a great way to plan a visit and check out the hours.

The Three Lakes theater was built originally from a Quonset hut after World War II. This type of theater design was easy to build and very cost-effective, ideal for a smaller community like Three Lakes. In order to fund the construction of the movie theater, the town sold shares of stock to the community. In 1946, local former Major League Baseball player, Cy Williams, designed and constructed the theater and went on to win an award for his design. The original theater opened on June 12, 1949, sat 346 people and helped provide entertainment for locals and tourists visiting the town.

In the 1970's the theater was closed and stopped showing films. It became a crafter's mini mall, the Hodge Podge Lodge for awhile. Closing for a few decades, the theater reopened in 2009 following renovation efforts working to restore the theater to a center for entertainment for the town. In addition to showing movies, the Center hosts live events with a great variety of musical artists and speakers. It also now includes an art gallery featuring local fine artists and a concessions area. The ongoing renovation project is led by the Three Lakes Center for the Arts and the community.

Three Lakes Historical Society. The Pine, the Plow, and the Pioneer . Volume 1. Eagle River, WI. Hahn Printing, 1983.

Three Lakes Historical Society. The Pine, the Plow, and the Pioneer . Volume 2. Eagle River, WI. Hahn Printing, 1984.