Art Deco architecture

The Artcraft Theatre, entertaining patrons since 1922

/ Roadtirementvintage / 7 Comments

November 1922 witnessed the opening of the Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, Indiana. It was first utilized for vaudeville shows. The theater was also the first in town to show silent movies, which it did from 1922 until 1929. The orchestra pit was perfect for the musician(s) accompanying the silent movies.

The Artcraft Theatre exterior

Restored ticket booth and theater entrance/exit doors

The Artcraft operated as a venue for first-run movie showings for 78 continuous years before closing in 2000 after the development of multi screen theater complexes drastically reduced patron business.

Through the front doors, looking towards the lobby

Concession stand and exit aisle

Over the years the theater saw many changes and improvements including a 1929 sound system for “talkies”. Franklin’s first ever air- conditioning “swamp box system” was installed in 1935. The first marquee was erected in the 1940’s.

We want to come back when it is open to see the whole theater.

A local historic preservation group, Franklin Heritage, Inc. bought the theater in 2001. Restoration work began immediately to save the building from condemnation. Currently the theater regularly offers showings of classic movies. The Historic Artcraft Theatre website has information about events and shows. (It lists the times for senior citizen free movies!)

Art Deco theater once showed silent movies

/ Roadtirementvintage / 6 Comments

Downtown Franklin Indiana is blessed to be the home of the marvelous restoration of a classic movie theater. The Artcraft Theater is on Main Street north of the courthouse. Currently owned by a local non-profit organization, all kinds of entertainment events are offered with a full schedule.

Impressive marquee over the entrance

Ticket booth and entrance. The front of courthouse is visible at the end of the street.

The Artcraft Theater in Franklin, Indiana was opened in November, 1922 as a silent movie theater and Vaudeville house. Over the years the theater saw the advent of “Talkies”, changes in seating arrangements, and a major renovation in 1948 to the “Art Deco” architecture style. There is fascinating history of the Artcraft on their website. There are tons of old photos worth seeing.

Historic 1930’s art deco building

/ Roadtirementvintage / 18 Comments

The historic building survives with a new use

This historic building in Shelbyville, Indiana was originally the bath house for what was for decades the town’s public swimming pool.  The William A. Porter Memorial Swimming Pool Bathhouse was built to honor the memory of the son of a Shelbyville family. This Art Deco building was dedicated in 1930.

Sometime in the 1960’s showing pool and back of the building

The pool was closed in 1998 and subsequently was demolished. The building is currently being used by the local Chamber of Commerce and serves as the Shelby County Tourism & Visitors’ Bureau. It is located on the north side of town and is one of the first structures that visitors see when they come into town.