Terre Haute Postcards

More postcards from my collection...

Indiana Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind.

This unused postcard has the printed text...

27863
Pub. by Levin Bros., Terre Haute, Ind.
Made in U.S.A.

Designed by Chicago architect John Eberson for Theodore W. Barhydt and the Indiana Theater company, this Spanish Baroque movie house stands on the corner of Seventh and Ohio Streets. John A. Schumacher & Co. of Indianapolis was the general contractor. The cost of the brick structure with its terra cotta details and a sumptuous interior exceeded $750,000. To give some idea of the fabulous interior, the theater's ornate domed ceiling was trimmed in 24-carat gold plate.

The 2,000 seat theatre opened on January 28th, 1922. Theater employees wore costumes consistent with the theater's Spanish Andalusian motife. Peacocks strutted about the lobby, which included handsome mosaic floors, an elegant fountain and a marble staircase. The 12-foot "Paramount Peacock," at the top of the marquee, required 3,000 light bulbs. Sidney Smith was the theater's first manager. The 20-piece Indiana Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Raymond Bond Townsley, occupied the orchestra pit which incorporated a $50,000 Wurlitzer Hope-Jones pipe organ played by R. Wellington Welch and Jack Welch. The organ's massive pipes were concealed in the walls. Festivities began with a inspiring version of "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away," by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser. The premier film feature was "Cappy Ricks," starring Thomas Meighan and Agnes Ayers.

In this postcard, the awning is advertising two films, a drama called "You Can't Fool Your Wife" which was made in 1923 and the 1922 comedy "Choose Your Weapons."

This page created 2nd April 2008, last modified 18th June 2008