Etowah in McMinn County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Lights

A Gem of a Show

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 9, 2026

1. The Lights Marker

Inscription.
Restoring the Gem Theater’s decorative elements has been both challenging and rewarding. For example, when Charles Munn, former director of the Etowah Arts Commission, set out to reproduce the auditorium’s long-since-removed light fixtures, he needed at least one original to serve as a pattern. Fortunately, he discovered one, repurposed as a planter in a beauty salon!

With permission, Munn took the paster half dome to a statuary company in Atlanta, Georgia, in hopes of having reproductions made. The company’s owner informed Munn that a special mold would be required, and he feared the worst in terms of cost. Unexpectedly, though, the moldmaker offered Munn a considerable discount. The reason? She was born in one o the doctor’s offices above the Gem Theater!

Erected by The City of Etowah & the Etowah Arts Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.

Location. 35° 19.47′ N, 84° 31.497′ W. Marker is in Etowah, Tennessee, in McMinn County. It is at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue (U.S. 411) and 7th Street, on the left when traveling north on Tennessee Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 Tennessee Avenue, Etowah TN 37331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Balcony (here, next to this marker); Gem (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Gem (here, next to this marker); World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Etowah Carnegie Library (about 400 feet away); The City of Etowah Fire Department (about 400 feet away); Company "A" 278th Inf R.C.T. (about 400 feet away); Etowah World War II Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Etowah.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 9, 2026

2. The Lights Marker

The Gem Theater - Etowah, TN image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 9, 2026

3. The Gem Theater - Etowah, TN

The Gem Theater Lobby image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 9, 2026

4. The Gem Theater Lobby

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 21, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.