Vincennes in Knox County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A Legacy of Laughter
Extra! Extra!
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 1, 2025
1. A Legacy of Laughter Marker
Legend has it that over one hundred years ago, a young Richard Skelton was selling newspapers in downtown Vincennes in front of the Pantheon Theatre when a well-dressed man asked if he was planning to go to the show that evening. The boy said no, he had to sell all his papers to help his family. The man then bought all the papers and said if the boy came tonight there would be a ticket waiting for him. Young Richard saw the show that night and realized the man who had bought all his papers was the star of the show! When he saw the audience laughing, he was inspired to make people laugh.
At the age of ten, Richard "Red" Skelton began traveling the country with a medicine show. He then performed in Kansas City, Canada, and New York before his career took off in radio, motion pictures, and television. After a 20-year run with his own show on television, he went back to his roots performing live in Las Vegas, college campuses, and theaters across the United States.
When he died in 1997, Red's comedy lived on by way of video releases and the building of a performing arts center and museum in his hometown of Vincennes,
this page online
(aside:)
This statue created by Nick Ring was dedicated on June 16, 2022 celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Pantheon Theatre.
Erected by Red Skelton Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is June 16, 2022.
Location. 38° 40.669′ N, 87° 31.812′ W. Marker is in Vincennes, Indiana, in Knox County. It is on Main Street west of North 5th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 428 Main St, Vincennes IN 47591, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Indiana’s Tri-State Region, in Southern Indiana, and in the Wabash Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 1, 2025
2. A Legacy of Laughter Marker
Marker and statue are next to the Pantheon Theatre
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Pantheon Theatre (here, next to this marker); Synod of Indiana of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Presbyterian Church In Indiana Territory (about 400 feet away); Cradle of Freemasonry in Indiana (about 600 feet away); Gimbel's Department Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Niblack Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Knox County Gold Star Honor Roll (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ellis Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vincennes.
Also see . . .
1. Red Skelton on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 3, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy (official website). (Submitted on October 3, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 1, 2025
3. A Legacy of Laughter Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 196 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
