1929 Theater Mural

On February 24, 1929, locals gathered here to see something brand new — the very first “talkie” movie shown in Ozaukee County.

This mural captures that moment in time: neighbors lining up under the glow of the marquee, dressed in the fashions of the day, waiting to step inside and experience history. Many of the faces are inspired by real Port Washington residents, weaving the community itself into the story.

Though the theatre’s doors eventually closed, its spirit lives on as a reminder of how film, style, and shared experience once brought the town together.

Residents portrayed in the mural listed how they appear:

South Wall:

• Gerry Kultgen – As a lifelong Port Washington resident, Geraldine (Stone) Kultgen was actively involved teaching children (47 years) in the district, as a religious education teacher, leading Girl Scouts, and passionately supporting the disabled. Married to Ray Kultgen (59 years), they had 6 children, and Gerry spent many years gardening, canning vegetables and making wonderful desserts for family parties.

Main Wall:

• Adolph N. Ansay – Ozaukee County Supervisor for 32 years, Local Banker at Port Washington State Bank and founder of Ansay and Associates. Adolph was a loving grandfather to 14 grandchildren and father to Mike Ansay, Elizabeth Cyganiak, Mary Hultgren, Attorney Jean Ansay, and A. John Ansay.
• Jon Neitzke – Jon was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and a friend to many. He was kind, fun, and caring. A huge movie buff, having an extensive collection of his favorite films. He was a local restaurateur who loved Port Washington and serving others. 1977-2018
• Coach Sam DeMerit – Sam DeMerit came to Port Washington High School in 1926 to develop an athletic program and to teach Industrial arts. He coached football, basketball and track, which won numerous state championships. He also developed the athletic field, and recreation department. Sam was inducted into the Stout University Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Football coaches Hall of Fame. Sam was a beloved coach to many. Sam was father to Jim, Sam (Bud), Nancy and John DeMerit. John played baseball for the Milwaukee Braves when they won the 1957 World Series. Sam was the grandfather to Wendy, Gary and Nina Klever. Also to Cathy, Susan, Jean, Paul, Tom, Steve, Joe DeMerit and John, David and Jim DeMerit.
• anonymous man
• anonymous woman
• anonymous ticket seller
• Nick R. Didier – Nick was a lifelong resident in the Port Washington area. He was a well-known farmer, Realtor, and auctioneer.
• Rosalia Johannes Roob – Rosalia, wife of William Milton Roob, was a central figure in Port Washington’s downtown life. She was known for her cooking at Roob’s Grill and Restaurant and also owned the Rainbow Room Ballroom, both lively gathering places for the community. Together, Rosalia and William operated the Ozaukee Theatre, located just across the street from their other businesses, making the Roobs a cornerstone of entertainment and hospitality in town.
• William Milton Roob – From 1917 until its closing in March 1958, the Roob family, led by William, managed and operated the theatre, which took on the name Ozaukee Theatre in 1926. Beyond the silver screen, William and Rosalia Roob also ran Roob’s Grill and Restaurant and the Rainbow Room Ballroom across the street, making them central to Port Washington’s dining, dancing, and entertainment scene. Through the Roobs, the Ozaukee Theatre became more than just a building. It was a place where work, family, and community came together — a stage not only for movies, but for the lives of the people who kept it alive.
• Lawrence George Verheyen – On July 15, 1941, Lawrence married Esther Roob, daughter of William and Rosalia. Soon after, he was drafted and stationed at the Santa Ana Army Airbase, where he inspected airplanes during World War II. When he returned home, Lawrence went to work at the local electric company and at the Ozaukee Theatre, where he stayed until its closing in 1958. The theatre was more than just a job for him — it was a family place. He often brought his children along to help, weaving them into the life of the theatre just as generations of Port Washington families had been before.
• Esther Catherine Roob Verheyen – Esther was the daughter of William and Rosalia Roob. She grew up above her parents’ restaurant and ballroom, where she first learned to cook and often lent a hand at the theatre. Building on those early experiences, she pursued a degree in dietetics at Mount Mary College and went on to work in hospitals after leaving Port Washington. In 1945, following World War II, Esther returned home to raise her family and once again became involved with the theatre.

Building History:

The Hoffman-Adam Theatre was later called the Ozaukee Theatre and also known as the Old Theater Square.

The former Ozaukee Theatre, on Grand Avenue in Port Washington’s historic Old Town, was located in the Hoffman-Adam Building. The theatre was designed in Mediterranean Revival style and originally served as a vaudeville and movie house.

It was built in 1926 as a single-screen, 550-seat theater. Chain Theatres Corp. took control of both the Ozaukee Theatre and the Grand Theatre in 1927. By 1936, the Ozaukee Theatre was only open on the weekends, and it closed in 1939. Fox Corp. remodeled the theater and it was reopened on April 21, 1946. The theatre closed in 1958 and was converted for other use.

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