The Acme theater, located in Riverton, WY, has been in operation since it opened in the 1920’s. Originally built by local businesswoman Belle Mote (who also donated her home to Riverton to be used as a library), the theater brought much-needed entertainment to the growing town. Originally, the theater hosted live shows, penny shows and vaudeville acts. In the years since, the theater has since been converted into a movie theater and shows first-run flicks. It still holds a lot of its old charm, however. Located in an old brick building on main street, complete with an old school marquee, seeing a movie here might feel like a trip back in time. The theater only has one screen, unlike so many megaplexes today, a reminder of the days when going to a movie meant catching whatever film was playing at the time. The theater is an important part of the history of Riverton, as well. Built over 100 years ago, it has watched main street evolve over the years. Some residents note that in every old photo of Riverton, there it is–the Acme Theater.
The balcony of the Acme is allegedly home to one of the most unique ghosts that has come up in ghost-hunting circles lately. Patrons and staff alike have reported seeing a figure sitting in the seats of the upper balcony. Dressed in vaudevillian clothes, the apparition is clearly from another era. No one can quite pinpoint who the person might be. It’s possible that the ghost’s identity is lost to history. The theater did host a variety of traveling vaudeville acts in its prime, thought it isn’t clear whether there were any deaths that occurred in the theater.
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