Dagsboro Hundred in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Clayton Theatre
Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 26, 2024
1. The Clayton Theatre Marker
Inscription.
The Clayton Theatre. . Named in honor of notable Delawarean. John M. Clayton, the Clayton Theatre was first owned and operated by Alvin "Sheet" Campbell and wife Marjorie, with brother-in-law Elwood "Pete" Hancock and wife Marian. Constructed in 1948 by W. Benjamin Dorey, a contractor from Harbeson, the Clayton held its grand opening on February 2, 1949 with Governor Elbert N. Carvel and other state and county officials in attendance. The theatre building was constructed from concrete in the popular Art Dιco style and faced with Formstone, a kind of stucco which was colored and shaped on the building to resemble natural stone. The interior of the Clayton originally sat 530 people and was furnished with the latest air-cushioned seats and projection equipment. Storefronts on either side of the main theatre provided space for retail businesses. Due to a Delaware "Blue Law" which prohibited the showing of films on Sundays, the Clayton initially ran movies six days a week. Tickets for adults cost 50 cents while tickets for children cost 20 cents. In September 1949, a referendum on the law was held and passed within the community, and Sunday shows began running later that fall. The Clayton also hosted appearances made by traveling country and western acts as well as live stage shows of local talent. Though the theatre underwent various renovations during the 20th and 21st centuries, its classic architectural Integrity has been largely preserved as evidenced by the neon "Clayton" sign and marquee. Distinguished as the last first-run, single screen movie theatre in Delaware, the Clayton is an integral part of Dagsboro and the surrounding communities.
Named in honor of notable Delawarean. John M. Clayton, the Clayton Theatre was first owned and operated by Alvin "Sheet" Campbell and wife Marjorie, with brother-in-law Elwood "Pete" Hancock and wife Marian. Constructed in 1948 by W. Benjamin Dorey, a contractor from Harbeson, the Clayton held its grand opening on February 2, 1949 with Governor Elbert N. Carvel and other state and county officials in attendance. The theatre building was constructed from concrete in the popular Art Dιco style and faced with Formstone, a kind of stucco which was colored and shaped on the building to resemble natural stone. The interior of the Clayton originally sat 530 people and was furnished with the latest air-cushioned seats and projection equipment. Storefronts on either side of the main theatre provided space for retail businesses. Due to a Delaware "Blue Law" which prohibited the showing of films on Sundays, the Clayton initially ran movies six days a week. Tickets for adults cost 50 cents while tickets for children cost 20 cents. In September 1949, a referendum on the law was held and passed within the community, and Sunday shows
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began running later that fall. The Clayton also hosted appearances made by traveling country and western acts as well as live stage shows of local talent. Though the theatre underwent various renovations
during the 20th and 21st centuries, its classic architectural Integrity has been largely preserved as evidenced by the neon "Clayton" sign and marquee. Distinguished as the last first-run, single screen movie theatre in Delaware, the Clayton is an integral part of Dagsboro and the surrounding communities.
Erected 2014 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-234.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 2, 1949.
Location. 38° 33.096′ N, 75° 14.838′ W. Marker is in Dagsboro, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Dagsboro Hundred. It is on Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 Main St, Dagsboro DE 19939, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker
Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 26, 2024
2. The Clayton Theatre Marker wide view
is on Delawares Beaches. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Delmarva Peninsula. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 180 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.
