The Little-Known Story Of The Mars Theatre In Georgia And How It Made A Big Comeback

The last decade or so has been especially rough for theaters. The rising popularity of streaming means fewer people are heading out to the cinema for entertainment, and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down performance venues and movie theaters all over the country for weeks or even months. We're lucky enough to have some beautiful historic theaters in Georgia, and while some are quite well-known, there are plenty that you may have never even heard of. One charming theater is tucked away in the little city of Springfield, GA. This Effingham County spot has a population of just under 3,000, and it's home to the historic Mars Theatre, which is now better than ever after renovations that restored it to its former glory. Check it out:

The Mars Theatre in Springfield, GA first opened up in 1945.

It was an immensely popular spot, with daily movie showings drawing huge crowds.

However, with the advent of television in the 1950s, many local theaters began to struggle. The Mars Theatre shut down in 1957.

In the 1970s, the building was transformed into an office space. Unfortunately, many of the original historical elements were discarded during this time.

In the 1990s, work began to renovate the theater and return it to use for its original purpose. Today, it serves as both a movie cinema and a concert venue in Springfield.

Improvements were done to ensure the highest quality possible of sound and picture when the theater re-opened in 2014, but you can still enjoy more than a few nods to nostalgia here.

This is such a charming spot to catch a movie with a nostalgic vibe.

Mars Theatre in Springfield, GA offers up first-run movie showings, plus concerts and other performances. You can check out the theater's schedule on the Mars Theatre Facebook page or Mars Theatre website.