Franklin in Johnson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Dedicated To The Historic Artcraft Theatre

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 6, 2026

1. Dedicated To The Historic Artcraft Theatre Marker

Inscription.
The Artcraft Theatre was built on the site of the first Johnson County Courthouse. It opened on November 1, 1922 as a silent movie and vaudeville house. In 1936, Trueman Rembusch, a theatre entrepreneur from Shelbyville, purchased the Artcraft and operated his entertainment business, Syndicate Theatres, from his offices here. The theatre was renovated in the Art Deco style in 1948, adding murals and neon lighting to the lobby and red vitrolite glass to the exterior. Additionally, more neon was installed onto the newly streamlined and rounded marquee, along with the now iconic Artcraft blade sign. The Rembusch family operated the Artcraft for eight decades, during which the theatre became a community hub. In 2004, Franklin Heritage, Inc., a non-profit historic preservation group, purchased the Artcraft and began a new restoration which helped spark the revitalization of downtown Franklin.

Erected by Johnson County Community Foundation; Franklin Indiana; Discover Downtown Franklin.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1922.

Location. 39° 28.865′ N,

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86° 3.304′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Indiana, in Johnson County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and West Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 57 N Main St, Franklin IN 46131, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana

and specifically in Greater Indianapolis.

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Monumental Memories (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to All U.S. Veterans Who Have Honorably Served (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson County Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Province Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson County War Memorial Honor Rolls

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 6, 2026

2. Dedicated To The Historic Artcraft Theatre Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson County Revolutionary War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johnson County Spanish American War Honor Roll (about 300 feet away); Johnson County Court Houses (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.