Bushman Theatre

The Cloverport Opera House was a new-build facility opening February 20, 1913 with a live presentation by the Thomas Comedy Company. During World War I, such operations in diminutive towns struggled and the Opera House was no different. In 1914, the venue became the American Theatre and was primarily a movie theatre.

New operators Oscar W. Holder and Thomas Bohler took on the theater signing a half-year block booking arrangement with Paramount becoming the Bushman Theatre opening with William S. Hart’s “Riddle Gawne.” The opening was pushed back to from early-November to November 23, 1918, however, because of the Spanish Flu pandemic.

Holder would extend the Paramount contract through the end of 1919 - a few days more than needed when the Bushman Theatre burned down on during its Christmas show with a projection booth fire. That fire also took out its neighbors on the North Side of Main Street with Ethel O. Hill’s Ready-to-Wear and Millinery Store, Weisenberg’s Restaurant; and William Jones' Pool Room. The fire department dynamited the pool room to save Stater’s Livery Stable saving the lives of many an equine.

As the wind changed favorably toward the river, the rest of the frame building block was saved. A new fireproof theatre was constructed on the spot in 1920. The town built the Air Dome Theater as a temporary venue while its new building was constructed. Cloverport also had the American Floating Theatre showboat earlier in the decade showing its support of non-traditional showplaces.

The new fire-proof venue opened as the Star Theatre on December 21, 1920. It became the Arcade Theatre on September 24, 1925. And, finally, it became the Rio Theatre #1 before being gutted by fire on April 13, 1939.

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.