Central Business District in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

America's First Movie Theater / Vitascope Hall

Vitascope Hall, 623 Canal Street

America's First Movie Theater Side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, November 17, 2020

1. America's First Movie Theater Side of marker

Inscription.

AMERICA'S FIRST MOVIE THEATER

On July 26, 1896, William T. "Pop" Rock & Walter J. Wainwright, shown with 2 patrons, and projectionist William Reed (r to l) opened the first indoor seated movie theater in the United States.

VITASCOPE HALL

In Vitascope Hall, 400 seated patrons watched 10-12 short films for 10 cents on white fabric stretched across a frame. Black canvas covered the windows. For 10 cents more, patrons viewed the Vitascope projector in the projection booth, and for another 10 cents, patrons took home a scrap piece of film. So many wanted to see the projector that soon the price increased to 50 cents. In 1896, of the 40 Edison Vitascope territories in the U.S., only Louisiana was financially successful.

Erected 2019 by The Poole Collection and the Families of Russ and Sandra Herman.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is July 26, 1896.

Location. 29° 57.187′ N, 90° 4.119′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in the Central Business District. Marker is at the intersection of Canal Street and Exchange Plaza, on the right when traveling north on Canal Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 623 Canal Street, New Orleans LA 70130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Merchants Mutual Insurance Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Birthplace of “Dixie” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jefferson Highway (about 500 feet away); Canal Street Under French and Spanish Rule (1718-1803) (about 600 feet away); 127-129 Carondelet Street (about 600 feet away); Conway’s Court (about 700 feet away); U.S. Branch Bank (about 700 feet away); Bank of Louisiana in New Orleans (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

Also see . . . Vitascope Theater. (Submitted on April 8, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Vitascope Hall side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, November 17, 2020

2. Vitascope Hall side of marker

America's First Movie Theater/Vitascope Hall Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, November 17, 2020

3. America's First Movie Theater/Vitascope Hall Marker

America's First Movie Theater/Vitascope Hall Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, November 17, 2020

4. America's First Movie Theater/Vitascope Hall Marker Detail

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 8, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.