Family Theater
600 N. Main Street,
Lafayette,
IN
47901
600 N. Main Street,
Lafayette,
IN
47901
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Architects: Cornelius Ward Rapp, George W. Leslie Rapp
Firms: J.F. Alexander & Son, Rapp & Rapp
Nearby Theaters
The Family Theater opened in 1907 as a vaudeville theatre. It was a conversion of a former Presbyterian Chapel to the plans of architectural firm J.F. Alexander & Son. It was an early renovation by architectural firm Rapp & Rapp and went over to silent movies and later on to talkies, closing and demolished in 1935.
In 1938 the Lafayette Theatre was opened on the site (It has its own page on Cinema Treasures).
Contributed by
Billy Holcomb / Billy Smith / Don Lewis
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
From the early 1900s a picture postcard of the Family Theater in Lafayette.
PLEASE ADD TO ADDRESS:
600 NORTH MAIN STREET
OPEN 1906-1935
Owners:
1920 Luna Amusements?
1930 Fourth Avenue Amusements?
Anyone have more info or photos?
On this site, in 1853 the First Presbyterian Church was built. In 1906 it was remodeled into the Family Theater. This was one of the first theaters in Indiana to show moving pictures. It used a Viatscope Machine. In 1935 the theater was torn down to make way for the Lafayette Theater. The rear of the stage house wall that was built in 1906 was preserved and remains to this date in the Lafayette Theater.
I have a postcard featuring the Family Theatre, in La Fayette, IN. It was sent to my great grandfather in March, 1914. Is this by chance worth something? It still has a readable postmark and the penny stamp.
The Family Theatre was opened in 1907 in a building remodeled from a Presbyterian church. The architects for the project were the local firm of J. F. Alexander & Son. This web page has pictures of dozens of the firm’s works, including one of the Family Theatre. They also drew the plans for the remodeling the old Grand Opera House (later the Dryfus Theatre) in 1901.
An early remodeling by Rapp & Rapp https://hdl.handle.net/2027/iau.31858020077685?urlappend=%3Bseq=62%3Bownerid=13510798903480392-66
The Lafayette Theater opened on this site in 1938.