Gem Theatre
713 Ohio Avenue,
Wichita Falls,
TX
76301
713 Ohio Avenue,
Wichita Falls,
TX
76301
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Grand opening ad posted.
This theater was owned by my father Aaron and his brother. I wish to correct the statement that the theater became an all “colored” theater. It actually seated “whites” on the main floor and “colored” in the balcony as this was still in the time of segregation.
The Gem suffered a fire in late 1928, and was then remodeled, according to this item from The Film Daily of January 23, 1929:
My great-grandfather, Joseph Weidman, and his brother, built the Gem originally.
This theatre was owned by my grandfather, Aaron McIlheran, brother of Bob McIlheran. He is also credited with opening first movie theatre in Dallas in approx 1905.
My great Grandfather William McIlheran once owned this theater. When he died in 1928 two of his sons took it over. My grandfather Robert (Bob) Mcilheran and his brother Aaron.