Switows Dream Theatre, Indiana, circa 1912
| Description: |
Painted on the side is Switows Dream Theatre, First Class Moving Pictures and Vaudeville. The purpose-built theater building sits between a brick structure with Home S__ [probably Home Store] painted on the side and a small refreshment stand selling drinks and sandwiches. The clothing dates it to about 1910-1915.Jewish immigrant Michael A. Switow (1864-1940) didnt come to the US from Poland until age 27, but he built a large circuit of theaters in Indiana and Kentucky. Originally a candy maker in Shelbyville, Indiana, he became entranced after seeing his first movie in Chicago and converted his confectionery into a 5-cent movie house at night. He and his sons eventually expanded to own over 40 theaters, including early ones in Louisville and Madisonville, Kentucky and the following in Indiana: Jeffersonville, French Lick, Salem, Madison, New Albany, Bloomington, Martinsville, Bedford, Seymour, Columbus, North Vernon, Rushville, Vincennes, Washington, Greensburg, and Indianapolis. |
|---|---|
| Origin: | 1912, circa |
| Source: |
http://indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com/photo/7939B393-0E0E-43C2-8585-896826537285 |
| Collection: |
Indiana Album |
| Rights: | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/ |
| Geography: |
Indiana, United States |
| Subjects: |
Joan Hostetler Collection Theaters |
Further information on this record can be found at its source.
This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library.