On Oct.1 Beaverton’s Gem Theater turned 85 years old. Though it is not the oldest business operating in the county – the Gladwin County Record holds that distinction at 147 years – but the Gem is old enough that there are very few who can remember its opening day on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1940.
It has had a surprisingly few owners over those years.
It was built by local farmer and grocery store owner, Jam…