Jefferson Theatre
116 W. Jefferson Boulevard,
Fort Wayne,
IN
46802
116 W. Jefferson Boulevard,
Fort Wayne,
IN
46802
2 people
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Alliance Theater Corp.
Architects: Charles R. Weatherhogg
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 2, 2010 — Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music"
The Jefferson Theatre opened February 8, 1913. It was remodeled and reopened September 8, 1940. It was closed in 1978.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
Film Daily Yearbooks;1941 and 1943 editions, give the seating capacity as 1,298. In the F.D.Y. 1950 edition it is listed with a seating capacity of 1,100.
The Jefferson was part of Alliance Amusement Co. in the early sixties. This chain, headquartered in Chicago, operated numerous theaters in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Washington. In Fort Wayne alone, Alliance ran the Jefferson, Embassy, Lincolndale Drive-In, East 30 Drive-In, Ft. Wayne Drive-In and Northcrest Drive-In. President of Alliance in 1963 was S.J. Gregory.
Most of the Alliance properties went to Cinecom, then through a legal settlement to Sportservice Theaters. Sportservice sold all their theaters in the 80’s. I do not know if any of their drive ins survived, notable loss Miles in Cleveland, OH. Beautiful Paramount and State Theaters in Anderson still survive.
From 1940, a photo ad announcing the re-opening of the Jefferson Theatre after having been remodeled.
The Jefferson was across the street from the Embassy, more or less. The even side of the block is now taken by a Hilton hotel.
The Jefferson Theatre was open from 1912-1978.
Here is a 1927 photo of the Jefferson Theatre.
An article in the November 17, 1912, issue of The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette saying that contracts for construction of the Jefferson Theatre had been let noted that the project had been designed by local architect Charles R. Weatherhogg.
The February 2, 1913, issue of the paper carried an ad announcing that the Jefferson would open on February 8. Admission to the house, built exclusively for movies, would be five cents.
Opening article:
Jefferson Theatre opening 08 Feb 1913, Sat Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Newspapers.com
Closed on December 21st, 1946, for repairs as Quimby pulls its equipment and reopened by Alliance Theatre Corporation on August 20th, 1947. 1947 grand opening ad posted.