{"id":21,"ordinal":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:41","content_modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:41","featured":0,"title":"Historic Theaters in Indiana","creator":"Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology","description":"<p>Every downtown had one. They were grand old opera houses and movie palaces, built in the bustle of the city center. In the late 1800s and the early 1900s, these venues served as the heart of entertainment in most communities. Such theaters were great places for first dates or for catching the newest flick. Sadly, these historic treasures have begun to fade away. The creation of “talkies” signaled the demise of opera houses. Either demolished or adapted for a new use, the opera house has disappeared from our downtown landscape.\r\n\r\nThe heyday of the single screen theaters has also waned, because they were unable to compete with the multi-screen, big box theaters. Most single screen theaters have ceased their cinematographic functions, becoming venues for other uses. In many cases, owners have stripped the equipment, leaving just the shell of a building. \r\n\r\nIn 1946, moviegoers could choose from 155 drive-in theaters across the United States. By 1948, that number had boomed to 820, and in 1958, it peaked at an astonishing 5,000 total theaters across the United States. Despite our fascination with cars, even the drive-in theaters have largely been unable to survive. \r\n\r\nDiscover Indiana invites you to take a journey across the 19th state and learn the stories of a variety of theaters and how they weave into the narrative of Hoosier entertainment!\r\n\r\nPlease keep in mind that each tour is by no means a comprehensive list of sites in Indiana related to each theme. Please be respectful of private property lines when visiting each of these sites.</p>","postscript_text":"","tour_img":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/f3a501e057cbdea1d96abe0a8197f864.jpg","items":[{"id":158,"title":"Paramount Theater","latitude":40.10446230000000156223904923535883426666259765625,"longitude":-85.678787900000003219247446395456790924072265625,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/f3a501e057cbdea1d96abe0a8197f864.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/f3a501e057cbdea1d96abe0a8197f864.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"1124 Meridian Street Anderson, IN 46016","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":372,"title":"Buskirk-Chumley \"Indiana\" Theater","latitude":39.1662908257950022061777417548000812530517578125,"longitude":-86.5327949076889950674740248359739780426025390625,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/6e4d0bc345ddb6e42ac299c10c1f40ff.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/6e4d0bc345ddb6e42ac299c10c1f40ff.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"114 E. Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":373,"title":"Embassy Theatre","latitude":41.075740026462000287210685200989246368408203125,"longitude":-85.139762163162004071637056767940521240234375,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/2d251dfcd603ffe173ce298239473912.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/2d251dfcd603ffe173ce298239473912.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"125 West Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":374,"title":"Indiana Theater","latitude":39.46514838295500027243178919889032840728759765625,"longitude":-87.4074317514899945535944425500929355621337890625,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/f0488cae00bc82a66ece4824e7175d27.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/f0488cae00bc82a66ece4824e7175d27.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"683 Ohio Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":376,"title":"Morris Performing Arts Center","latitude":41.67822600000000221598384086973965167999267578125,"longitude":-86.250574000000000296495272777974605560302734375,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/589b34b7b02325f61221ebf353d8ea75.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/589b34b7b02325f61221ebf353d8ea75.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"211 N. Michigan St, South Bend, IN 46601","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":377,"title":"Alhambra Theatorium","latitude":37.96226589999999845304046175442636013031005859375,"longitude":-87.5658097999999966987161315046250820159912109375,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/103e62efee705c0091464cd74e75f70e.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/103e62efee705c0091464cd74e75f70e.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"50 Adams Avenue, Evansville, IN 47713","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":378,"title":"Huntington Theater","latitude":40.8828620999999969853888615034520626068115234375,"longitude":-85.4964001999999965164533932693302631378173828125,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/6896a484b0e0a98acf8ecb63bf48aa5d.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/6896a484b0e0a98acf8ecb63bf48aa5d.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"528 North Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":379,"title":"Hilbert Circle Theatre","latitude":39.76765569999999883066266193054616451263427734375,"longitude":-86.1570727999999945723175187595188617706298828125,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/f93f79d78026776a7804398241727635.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/f93f79d78026776a7804398241727635.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"45 Monument Cir, Indianapolis, IN 46204","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":380,"title":"Indiana Theatre","latitude":39.76744469999999864739947952330112457275390625,"longitude":-86.16102779999999938809196464717388153076171875,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/57d979a03d10b058926f182d34f42d20.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/57d979a03d10b058926f182d34f42d20.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"140 W. Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":381,"title":"Eagles Theatre","latitude":40.79704060000000254149199463427066802978515625,"longitude":-85.8225850000000036743585951626300811767578125,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/9251d7bfef3cc8fea870a218f10a4c5f.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/9251d7bfef3cc8fea870a218f10a4c5f.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"106 W Market St, Wabash, IN 46992","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":316,"title":"Madame CJ Walker Building","latitude":39.7762069999999994251993484795093536376953125,"longitude":-86.1671883000000065067069954238831996917724609375,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/530e36615aa4ddedcc660156d32f4215.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/530e36615aa4ddedcc660156d32f4215.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"617 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":382,"title":"Scottish Rite Cathedral","latitude":39.7761129000000011046722647733986377716064453125,"longitude":-86.15824539999999842621036805212497711181640625,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/ca97804a570d091606e9abe8e92a0a89.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/ca97804a570d091606e9abe8e92a0a89.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"650 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":383,"title":"Murat Shrine Temple","latitude":39.774429900000001225635060109198093414306640625,"longitude":-86.1510899999999963938535074703395366668701171875,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/4c1625532ab75cbffc1568f5c59b1988.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/4c1625532ab75cbffc1568f5c59b1988.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"502 North New Jersey Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":384,"title":"Elco Theater","latitude":41.68409530000000273730620392598211765289306640625,"longitude":-85.971401799999995319012668915092945098876953125,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/2cb910e2f2016aabd27187b1ddd1025c.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/2cb910e2f2016aabd27187b1ddd1025c.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"410 S Main St, Elkhart, IN 46516","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":387,"title":"Ritz Theater","latitude":39.7633823000000035108314477838575839996337890625,"longitude":-87.2400956999999976915205479599535465240478515625,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/f115d2a614e65a47ae9a23d01cd63f71.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/f115d2a614e65a47ae9a23d01cd63f71.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"201 W Ohio St, Rockville, IN 47872","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":389,"title":"Crown Theater","latitude":41.4179835999999994555764715187251567840576171875,"longitude":-87.365893499999998539351508952677249908447265625,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/a0fbf9aad525ff4f3f04678f4c1f04f9.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/a0fbf9aad525ff4f3f04678f4c1f04f9.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"19 N Court St, Crown Point, IN 46307","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":390,"title":"Crump Theatre","latitude":39.200938100000001895750756375491619110107421875,"longitude":-85.9201577000000042971805669367313385009765625,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/092b100c7e9208bf10edbd0f7917f3e2.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/092b100c7e9208bf10edbd0f7917f3e2.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"425 Third St, Columbus, IN 47201","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":385,"title":"Artcraft Theatre","latitude":39.48112669999999724268491263501346111297607421875,"longitude":-86.0548528000000061410901253111660480499267578125,"thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/93cee7af3174880c1b2ac2a14201cb13.jpg","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/93cee7af3174880c1b2ac2a14201cb13.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"53 N Main St, Franklin, IN 46131","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}}]}