Ithaca in Tompkins County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Wharton Studio
Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, March 10, 2026
1. Wharton Studio Marker
From 1915-1920, the Wharton Studio was abuzz as filmmakers and entrepreneurs Theodore and Leopold Wharton produced hundreds of silent films and series starring some of the best known actors of the day. The Wharton brothers were pioneers in an emerging art form and industry, and their Ithaca Studio left an indelible mark on early American moviemaking. After the Whartons left Ithaca in 1919, Grossman Pictures leased the building for a year and produced just one film. They were followed by New York State funded Cayuga Pictures which also produced a single film before moving on. By 1921, all filmmaking in Ithaca had ceased.
Erected by Friends of Stewart Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 42° 27.721′ N, 76° 30.234′ W. Marker is in Ithaca, New York, in Tompkins County. It is on Stewart Park west of Stewart Park Lane, on the right when traveling west. Located in Stewart Park. The road is a one way loop around the park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ithaca NY 14850, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Southern Tier. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Movie Studio (a few steps from this marker); The Picnic Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); Cayuga Lake And The Erie Canal: (about 300 feet away,
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Friends of Stewart Park. (Submitted on April 11, 2026, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Stewart Park (Ithaca, New York) (Wikipedia). (Submitted on April 11, 2026, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, March 10, 2026
2. Wharton Studio
Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, March 10, 2026
3. Wharton Studio Marker
Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, March 10, 2026
4. Wharton Studio Marker
( left photo )
In the early 1900s this section of the park, the called Renwick Park, was a vibrant hub for outdoor concerts, vaudeville performances, watching movies - and the moviemaking. The Whartons used the park, Cayuga Lake, the gorges, and other area attractions as exciting backdrops for their films. Here, outside the Wharton Studio, is a young Oliver Hardy leaning on the plane. Hardy starred in the Wharton series The New Adventures of J. Rufus Wallingford, produced in 1915.
( right photo )
Actors Creighton Hale, Pearl White and Lionel Barrymore relax between takes of The Romance of Elaine (1915) in front of the Wharton Studio building.
In the early 1900s this section of the park, the called Renwick Park, was a vibrant hub for outdoor concerts, vaudeville performances, watching movies - and the moviemaking. The Whartons used the park, Cayuga Lake, the gorges, and other area attractions as exciting backdrops for their films. Here, outside the Wharton Studio, is a young Oliver Hardy leaning on the plane. Hardy starred in the Wharton series The New Adventures of J. Rufus Wallingford, produced in 1915.
( right photo )
Actors Creighton Hale, Pearl White and Lionel Barrymore relax between takes of The Romance of Elaine (1915) in front of the Wharton Studio building.
Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba
5. Wharton Studio Marker
The Wharton Studio building is one of only a handful of motion picture studios from the silent era still standing in the country- an important artifact that we are fortunate to have in our city. Before it became the headquarters of Wharton Inc. Studios in 1915, this building served as a dance pavilion, a vaudeville stage, and a movie theater.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2026, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. This page has been viewed 26 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 29, 2026, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. 5. submitted on April 11, 2026, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
