Did you know the Bailey Theatre was first founded by rancher Camille David in the early 20th century?

In the late 1880s, Camille David (DAH-vid) drove a herd of cattle from Manitoba to his ranch just southeast of Camrose. David would go on to own a cigar and liquor store and become a partner in the first Camrose hotel. Between 1910 and 1911, David financed the construction of the David Theatre. His goal was to have a local place in Camrose for local and visiting performers. Over the years, the theatre was used for musical performances, theatre productions, silent movies, vaudeville shows, Sunday school, boxing and wrestling matches, and Remembrance Day ceremonies.

In 1913, David sold the building to Stan Bailey, who renamed the building to the Bailey Theatre. In the 1930s, the Bailey Theatre's facade was extensively altered from the Edwardian Style to the Art Deco Style reflective of cinema architecture of the period. The changes included the addition of the exterior marquee tower, stucco, speed lines and black carrera glass. On the inside, a 120-seat curved balcony with stepped rows was added.

Performers such as the Georgia Minstrels, The Winnipeg Kiddies and New York-based San Carlo Opera Company signed the walls in the dressing rooms and left messages for other performers.