History of The Braumart
Since 1925, The Braumart has stood in the heart of Downtown Iron Mountain as a symbol of entertainment, community, and local history. For generations, the theater has welcomed audiences through its doors for movies, live performances and music becoming one of the area’s most recognizable historic landmarks.
The story of The Braumart is more than the history of a building — it is the story of a community that has continued to gather, celebrate, and experience entertainment together for over a century.
The Beginning of The Braumart
The Braumart Theater officially opened in April of 1925. The theater’s name was created by combining the names of its founders, August Brauns and Martin Thomas, two influential figures in Dickinson County’s entertainment industry.
Brauns and Thomas played a major role in shaping entertainment in the region. In addition to The Braumart, they were connected to several early theaters in Downtown Iron Mountain, helping establish the city as a destination for movies and live entertainment during the early 20th century. In the beginning, The Braumart was designed specifically for motion pictures, serving audiences during the silent film era before evolving alongside the rapid growth of Hollywood and modern cinema.
A Theater Through Changing Times
As entertainment changed throughout the decades, The Braumart adapted with it. During the golden age of cinema, the theater became a gathering place for the community — a place where families, friends, and generations of local residents shared experiences together on the big screen. While many historic theaters across small towns eventually closed due to changing moviegoing habits and the rise of television in the 1950s and beyond, The Braumart continued operating and remained an important part of Iron Mountain’s downtown for decades.
The theater witnessed nearly every major era of entertainment history:
Silent films
Classic Hollywood cinema
Mid-century movie culture
Modern film projection
Live music and performing arts
For many residents of Iron Mountain and the surrounding Upper Peninsula, The Braumart became woven into personal memories and family traditions.
Transformation Into a Performing Arts Venue
After its original movie theater era came to a close in the 1990s, The Braumart entered a new chapter.
Rather than disappearing like many historic theaters across the country, the venue was reimagined as a performing arts and entertainment destination. Through renovations and continued community support, The Braumart evolved into a space for:
Live concerts
Tribute performances
Community events
Classic movie showings honoring The Braumart’s original purpose
This transformation helped preserve not only the building itself, but also its role as a place where the community could continue to come together. Today, The Braumart remains one of the most unique entertainment venues in the Upper Peninsula, blending historic atmosphere with modern live entertainment.
The Northern Michigan Dance Academy’s performance of The Nutcracker at The Braumart in 2025
Preserving History for Future Generations
As downtowns across America continue to evolve, preserving historic venues like The Braumart becomes increasingly important. These spaces help maintain the character of communities while creating opportunities for future generations to experience live entertainment, local culture, and being together as a community. The ongoing support from the community has helped ensure that The Braumart continues to stand as a symbol of history, resilience, and entertainment in Iron Mountain.
The Braumart Today
Today, we at Friends of The Braumart continue to host live entertainment and special events while honoring the legacy that began in 1925. From concerts and tribute artists to community gatherings and future restoration efforts, the theater remains an important part of the cultural life of Iron Mountain.
For longtime residents, The Braumart is filled with memories. For first-time visitors, it offers a rare opportunity to experience entertainment inside a truly historic venue.
Th Glenn Miller Orchestra performing at The Braumart in 2025
The Braumart is more than a theater, it is a living piece of Iron Mountain history — and the story is not over yet.
Interested in seeing more historical photos of The Braumart? Our history page includes many more.
