Fremont Municipal Auditorium

Fremont Municipal Auditorium
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The auditorium in 2025
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Location	925 Broad Street, Fremont, Nebraska
Coordinates	41°26′17″N96°29′54″W / 41.43806°N 96.49833°W / 41.43806; -96.49833 (Fremont Municipal Auditorium)
Area	less than one acre
Built	1936–1937
Built by	Busboom & Ruah
Architect	George Grabe
Architectural style	Art Deco
NRHP reference No.	02000773 [1]
Added to NRHP	July 11, 2002

The Fremont Municipal Auditorium is a historic building in Fremont, Nebraska. It was built in 1937 with funding from the Public Works Administration, and designed in the Art Deco architectural style. ^[2] It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since July 11, 2002. ^{[1] [3]}

History

The Fremont Municipal Auditorium was a project funded by Public Works Administration, having been announced in September 1935. ^[4] By November, a location was decided and the grant was approved. ^[5] On March 11, 1936 construction had officially started. ^[6] The auditorium was officially dedicated on March 1, 1937. ^[7]

On July 11, 2002, the Fremont Municipal Auditorium was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ^[3]

In 2018, plans were announced to renovate the auditorium at a cost of $2 million. ^[8] In 2019, renovations started, which later included removal of the asbestos. ^[9] In 2021, renovations to the building were complete. ^[10]

During renovations to the nearby Keene Memorial Library from 2022 to 2024, the auditorium was used as a temporarily library location. ^{[11] [12]}

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
2. Jill M. Ebers (February 21, 2002). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Fremont Municipal Auditorium". National Park Service . Retrieved May 4, 2019. With accompanying pictures
3. "HOUSING: Costs going up". Fremont Tribune. August 6, 2002.
4. "FREMONT'S ARMORY IS INCLUDED". Fremont Tribune . September 30, 1935.
5. "FREMONT AUDITORIUM BONDS CARRY". Fremont Tribune. November 21, 1935.
6. "CONSTRUCTION OF CITY AUDITORIUM HAS BEEN STARTED". Fremont Tribune. March 11, 1936.
7. "MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM IS DEDICATED". Fremont Tribune. March 2, 1937.
8. REAL-MCKEIGHAN, TAMMY (August 9, 2019). "Council OKs bid for auditorium renovation". Fremont Tribune. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
9. Tribune, TAMMY REAL-MCKEIGHAN Fremont (November 7, 2019). "Fremont renovating historic city auditorium". JournalStar.com. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
10. "Fremont City Auditorium Grand Re-opening | Cheever Construction - General Contractor, Employee-Owned Construction Firm". www.cheeverconstruction.com. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
11. FORWARD, JEFF (November 1, 2023). "Keene Library to be closed several weeks for move". Fremont Tribune. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
12. FORWARD, JEFF (January 10, 2024). "Fremont's Keene Library reopening set for Monday, Jan. 15". Fremont Tribune. Retrieved February 18, 2025.