Wells Theatre

1441 N. Wells Street,
Fort Wayne, IN 46808

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badkermit
badkermit on April 26, 2024 at 1:25 pm

Does anyone know what this building was prior to the theater opening in 1917? The building records show that it was “built” in 1900. However, IN only goes back to 1900, so it was probably built prior to that.

rivest266
rivest266 on April 23, 2024 at 12:29 pm

Opened or first mentioned on April 10th, 1917 and closed in 1959.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 31, 2021 at 12:45 am

Hree’s something from the April 3, 1920 issue of Moving Picture World:

“Fort Wayne House Remodelling [sic]

“For a consideration of $20,000, B. Borkenstein, of Fort Wayne, Ind., has bought the Wells Street Theatre in that city from Edward Hammerle, and has leased it to his son, Alfred Borkenstein, who will assume active management at once. The theatre, which is devoted exclusively to motion pictures, is situated at 1435 Wells street.

“Following the purchase, Mr. Borkenstein announced that the building will be extensively remodeled. The complete interior of the theatre will be redecorated, a new fireproof operating booth will be constructed, and a modern ventilating system will be installed. The remodeling work will not be started for several weeks.”

The building is currently listed for sale on LoopNet for a consideration quite a bit larger than $20,000.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on August 2, 2018 at 4:31 pm

A house called the Palace Theatre is listed at 4th and Wells Streets in Fort Wayne in the 1914-1915 American Motion Picture Directory. Details being unavailable, I don’t know if this was the same house later called the Wells Theatre.

A second house called the Palace Theatre opened in downtown Fort Wayne in January, 1915. The 1916 Polk Directory lists both the “Palace, cor 4th and Wells” and the “Palace Theatre (New), Washington blvd E.”

jimboo94
jimboo94 on December 30, 2013 at 9:23 am

i was an usher at wells theater est.17 years old . 1944. borkinstein heating plumming owner. installed air conditioner at that time..10 cent tickets seating sloped down to the screen. later i ushered at the palace down town.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 8, 2013 at 8:14 pm

The Wells Theatre is listed in a Fort Wayne telephone directory published in December, 1924.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 19, 2010 at 10:32 am

Thanks Robert.

robertpence
robertpence on May 19, 2010 at 7:28 am

The Wells Theatre building was not demolished. It now has the address 1441 N. Wells Street and is occupied by Koehlinger Kruse Security.

I photographed the building as part of a survey of Wells Street for my web site, and thought it looked like a former theatre. I asked Don Orban, Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Fort Wayne, and he sent me this response:

“Your guess is correct…the Koehlinger Kruse bldg was indeed the Wells Street Theater…see attached photo. Cinema Treasures is incorrect. The old Sanborn maps show the building as having addresses 1433, 35, & 37 (theater entrance in the middle and small storefronts on each side). Not sure how KK got the 1441 address but those seem to be subject to change over the years for a variety of reasons.”

The building stands at the southwest corner of Wells and Fourth Streets. You may see the photo that I took on April 12, 2010 here; it’s the tan brick building on the right:
Former Wells Theatre, Fort Wayne, Indiana