Ritz Theatre, ca. 1898

Builtby J. G. Conzelman to house the Grand Opera House,retail establishments and the general offices of the Brunswick & Birmingham Railroad, this building was located at the heart of a thriving business and entertainment district and at a major travel hub. Converted to a movie palace in the 1930s, it was renamed the Ritz Theatre and for years served the area with both first-run movies and live-stage performances. As the population shifted from the downtown area, the theater was closed and the building faced possible demolition. With remarkable foresight, the City of Brunswick intervened, purchasing the building and giving it a "facelift" which, while not historically accurate, succeeded in preserving the structure. In 1990 the City entered into an agreement with the Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association enabling the group to manage the operation of the theater and supervise the restoration of the building. Much of the original commercial Italianate facade has now been revealed andthe restoration continues as an ongoing project. The Ritz has again become a cultural center and a focal point of continuing downtown restoration.