Belfast in Waldo County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
The Silver Screen / Le septième art
Belfast, Maine
— The Museum in the Streets —
Photographed By James True, May 29, 2012
1. The Silver Screen Marker
The burgeoning appeal of the silver screen led to the construction of the Colonial Theatre which opened the night the Titanic set sail from England in April 1912. A fire in 1923 following a showing of the film "Way Down East" leveled the building and a new theater (inset) rose from the ashes. In 1927, the introduction of "talkies" led to a widely expanding audience for movies. The Colonial Theatre also featured vaudeville acts, political rallies, concerts and boxing matches. In the early years, the movie selection changed several times a week and cost just pennies to attend. The current art deco style facade was added in 1947. The elephant sculpture, Hawthorne, was purchased from Perry's Nut House and added to the Belfast skyline in 1997 (panel #20).
Erected 2004 by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 16.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. 44° 25.585′ N, 69° 0.48′ W. Marker is in Belfast, Maine, in Waldo County. Marker is on High Street east of Market Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is in the small park in back of City Hall across the street from the theatre. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belfast ME 04915, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Belfast City Hall / L'Hôtel de Ville de Belfast (within shouting distance of this marker); The Belfast Historical Society Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Main and High / Au carrefour de main et de high (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Post Office Square / La place de la poste (about 400 feet away); Downtown Main Street / La rue principale en centre-ville (about 400 feet away); Belfast, Maine (about 400 feet away); The Opera House / L'Opéra
Photographed By James True, August 30, 2012
2. The Silver Screen
More about this marker. Marker #16 (of 30) in "The Museum in the Streets". The text on the Marker is in English, followed by a French translation.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 478 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 15, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the French text • Can you help?
