Greendale Historic District in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Picture This - Our Own Theatre!

Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 10, 2021

1. Picture This - Our Own Theatre! Marker

Inscription. This building was originally the "Greendale Theatre". It opened in 1939 with a feature starring Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy. To boost attendance during the Great Depression, "dish nights" were popular - free cups, plates, etc. were handed out weekly to complete dinnerware sets. Aspects of the ticket office and marquee are still visible.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 42° 56.483′ N, 87° 59.794′ W. Marker is in Greendale, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in the Greendale Historic District. Marker is on Parking Street north of Schoolway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5640 Parking Street, Greendale WI 53129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Greendale is 'Alphabetized' (within shouting distance of this marker); Greendale Was Roosevelt's Idea (within shouting distance of this marker); Built by Thousands (within shouting distance of this marker); Eleanor's Visit (within shouting distance of this marker); Eleanor Was Here! (within shouting distance of this marker); An Ideal Location (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named An Ideal Location

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(within shouting distance of this marker); A "Greenbelt Community" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greendale.

Also see . . . Wisconsin SP Greendale Historic District. According to the National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (Section 7, page 10): "The Greendale Theater Block was remodeled in 1997...[and] consists of a one-story, flat-roofed section, and a two-story, hip-roofed rear section. The two-story section originally held the theater auditorium while the one-story section contained the theater vestibule and ticket office (at the south end)... The Greendale Theater closed in 1968. In 1997, the Theater Block was remodeled and the original storefronts expanded with an addition across the front façade. The new front is veneered with brick that nearly matches the original." (Submitted on October 15, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 10, 2021

2. Picture This - Our Own Theatre! Marker

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 7, 2021

3. Picture This - Our Own Theatre! Marker

View looking to the northeast. Marker is along the sidewalk between Parking Street and Broad Street.

Greendale Theatre in September 1939 image. Click for full size.

John Vachon (Library of Congress LC-USF34-060121-D), September 1939

4. Greendale Theatre in September 1939

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 249 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 15, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.