Ione in Amador County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Ione Theater

— City of Ione Downtown Historic District —

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 12, 2022

1. Ione Theater Marker

Inscription. Prior to 1914, theatergoers viewed silent movies and 'legitimate' shows in the Women's Pavilion at the west end of Main Street. Around this same time, Claude Violet operated the "Electric Theater" in another Ione location. His space was limited, so he leased this building, remodeled it, and named it "The Royal Theater". It was very popular, until talking pictures made silent movies obsolete. Mr. Violet couldn't afford to upgrade, so the doors remained closed for a decade. But Ione was growing, and demand for a theater caused Jackson Theater owners to reopen this location. Though the building is now a mini-mall, the booth, doing homework between customers, 'modernized' Ione Theater reopened here to rave reviews on March 31, 1939.

Headlines read “Theater Looks Like a Million Dollars," boasting that "the new Ione Theater will be a modern showplace second to none...for first-class entertainment.” Admission was 30 cents for adults, 15 cents for kids. A local swing band played at a free street dance preceding the opening performance of the "Spirit of Culver," starring Jackie Cooper. In the 1940's the Ione Theater was owned by the Sullivan family.

Admission was 25 cents, which was doubled in the 1950's. During intermission, jewelry raffles were held. The films were rated "B", with many scary movies, westerns,

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and war movies shown. Local teens worked the ticket booth, doing homework between customers, and often had to wake the projectionist, because the reel was skipping. The theater closed for good in 1961.

Erected 2019 by Ione Business and Community Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1939.

Location. 38° 21.155′ N, 120° 56.018′ W. Marker is in Ione, California, in Amador County. It is on West Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 West Main Street, Ione CA 95640, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Red Brick Building Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); The Commercial Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Ione City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Ione City Hall and Police Offices (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel Stewart Co. Store (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of Ione's Bravest (within shouting distance of this marker); Ione Parlor No. 33, N.S.G.W. (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron Ivan (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ione.

Ione Theater Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 12, 2022

2. Ione Theater Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here directly below the ice cream banner.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 506 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.