Peoples Theatre

The Peoples Theatre at 249 E. South Street was one of Akron’s longest-running, pioneering neighborhood movie theatres. The Goosetown neighborhood venue opened in 1910 and closed in 1950, likely completing two, 20-year leasing cycles. It was Akron’s second Peoples Theatre. The original Peoples Theatre had been a live theatre in the 19th Century Akron becoming a vaudeville house renamed as the Assembly Theatre before returning to the Peoples moniker. That building was razed in the first decade of the 1900’s.

Akbert D. Wilhelm was a long-time manager there operating the venue with brother Louis B. Wilhelm. The operator of the Peoples Theatre converted to Western Electric sound in 1929 to remain viable. It was unadvertised for a period of time - though active - likely indicating an African American programming policy. In 1945, the venue received a Streamline Moderne style makeover.

Mrs. Robert Gale was the final operator with mainstream Hollywood fare beginning on December 4, 1948 but closing in 1950. After its closure, it became a fraternal hall for the Sons of Herman. The building was razed in 1990 in favor of a McDonald’s restaurant that has since closed.

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