Oconomowoc in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Wizard of Oz

World Premier

— Oconomowoc —

The Wizard of Oz Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. The Wizard of Oz Marker

Inscription.
This commemorates the World Premier of MGM’s The Wizard of Oz shown here in Downtown Oconomowoc at the Strand Theater on August 12th, 1939.

Erected 2009 by City of Oconomowoc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is August 12, 1939.

Location. 43° 6.638′ N, 88° 29.829′ W. Marker is in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It is on Wisconsin Avenue west of St Paul Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in front of City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 168 E Wisconsin Ave, Oconomowoc WI 53066, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Okauchee (approx. 2.9 miles away); Nashotah Mission (approx. 4.1 miles away); Highway Marking (approx. 4.3 miles away); Bishop Jackson Kemper Home Built 1849 (approx. 4.8 miles away); Stone Bank (approx. 5 miles away); Cushing Memorial Park (approx. 5.4 miles away); St. John's Military Academy (approx. 5.6 miles away); Northwestern Military and Naval Academy (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oconomowoc.

Other markers no longer nearby. Oconomowoc (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Oconomowoc Masonic Center (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing); The Inn at Pine Terrace (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Regarding The Wizard of Oz. The film actually premiered two days earlier, at the Orpheum Theatre in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on August 10, 1939. And the film was then previewed in three test markets: Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 11, 1939; Dennis, Massachusetts, also on August 11; and the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin,

The Wizard of Oz and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. The Wizard of Oz and Marker

on August 12. The theatre's owners were told by the local film distributor that theirs was the first engagement of the movie.

The historical monument was installed at City Hall for the 70th anniversary in 2009. The Strand Theatre was located 200 feet west on Wisconsin Avenue. It was demolished in 1969. The location is now a bank parking lot.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Oz Plaza

Located next to City Hall.

“World Premiere” Advertisement - 1939 image. Click for full size.

4. “World Premiere” Advertisement - 1939

With incorrect information, still accepted by some.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 253 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 5, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.