Gem Theatre

The Gem Theatre opened as a five-cent theatre on June 11, 1910. It was launched by local showman Charles Van Sickle in a storefront at 96 State Street. New owner Peter Brahas took over in 1912. In January 1913, Charles Goyke purchased a half interest in the Gem Theatre, and by April 1913 the Gem Theatre moved across the street to 93 State Street, a slightly bigger location. (The theatres were located on State Street west of where it once intersected with Hohman Avenue.)

Van Sickle, again the theatre’s owner, spent several thousand dollars to remodel and reopen on April 11, 1914, as the Bartola Picture Playhouse, later just Bartola Theatre. Van Sickle built the theatre’s programming around a new $2800 Bartola orchestra instrument, forerunner to the Barton organ.

In June 1916 Van Sickle sold the Bartola Theatre to William Craick. In October 1916 the theatre reverted to the original name Gem Theatre with A.W. Collier as manager.

The Gem Theatre closed in December 1917, its last advertisement appearing on December 29, 1917. In April 1918 the space at 93 State Street was converted into a showroom for the Van & Duelke Auto Sales Company.

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