The original German Theatre (not “Germantown”) started construction in 1905 - but was not opened until March of 1906.
It was intended to serve as a home for German-language drama, serving what had been decades a largely German neighborhood of North Philadelphia.
But the local businessmen who were its founders discovered that the population of fluent German speakers in the immediate area was declining, and the venture failed. By 1911 the German Theatre was offering mostly English-language plays.
Like many other local institutions with the word “German” in their names (see: Lankenau Hospital), during World War One it changed its name. As the “Astor Theatre” it started showing movies, and continued to do so during the 1920s.
But this entire building was torn down and replaced in 1931. The Astor Theatre shown in photos here dates from that time.
The original German Theatre (not “Germantown”) started construction in 1905 - but was not opened until March of 1906.
It was intended to serve as a home for German-language drama, serving what had been decades a largely German neighborhood of North Philadelphia.
But the local businessmen who were its founders discovered that the population of fluent German speakers in the immediate area was declining, and the venture failed. By 1911 the German Theatre was offering mostly English-language plays.
Like many other local institutions with the word “German” in their names (see: Lankenau Hospital), during World War One it changed its name. As the “Astor Theatre” it started showing movies, and continued to do so during the 1920s.
But this entire building was torn down and replaced in 1931. The Astor Theatre shown in photos here dates from that time.