Location Information
(for the A & G Theater)
Name:A & G Theater
Address:150 Beach Boulevard, North
City/County:Bay St. Louis, Hancock County
Architectural Information
Construction Date:1927
Architectural Styles(s):Spanish
No. of Stories:1
Registration Information
NR District Name:Old Bay St. Louis (2010)
    NR Status:Contributing
    Element No.:69
    MPS:Historic Resources of Bay St. Louis
Context/Comments
The A&G Theater was originally listed on the National Register in 1980 as element #37 in the Beach Boulevard Historic District. Because that historic district was severely ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the old district was superseded by the Old Bay St. Louis Historic District, which was placed on the National Register on 8 July 2010. The theater is now listed as element #69 in the Old Bay St. Louis Historic District.

It is mentioned in "Buildings of Mississippi" (2020) (p. 334, in the listing for Downtown Bay St. Louis, GC2).
Brief Description
This structure is a 2-story brick theater with a shaped parapet and flat roof. The building has a stucco cladding with a decorative brick belt course running on the facade. The building maintains the original footprint but most of the original facade detailing has been removed. The original garland wreath, awning, balcony, marquee, and windows have been removed. The foundation is continuous brick.
Historic Information
This building was constructed to cater to the entertainment needs of permanent and visiting residents of Bay St. Louis who flocked to the town in the twentieth century. The building was constructed by its owners, Ames and Gaspard, in 1927 after the demolition of a wood-frame residence. The building was originally constructed as a movie theater and cost $60,000 to construct. In the spring of 1928 it was outfitted with a top of the line organ. Later that same year it began playing modern talking films. The building was designed by New Orleans architect William T. Nolan. The construction date on this building was determined from a 1928 article in the Sea Coast Echo and is also reflected in the original National Register nomination. The building maintains the original footprint but most of the original facade detailing has been removed. The original garland wreath, awning, balcony, marquee, and windows have been removed. Currently the building was renovated after sustaining extensive damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.