Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

The New Theatre in 1911

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 17, 2016

1. The New Theatre in 1911 Marker

Inscription. Ten years before the outbreak of the Civil War, the Old Red Mill stood on the future site of the New Theatre. The mill was used as a hospital during the Civil War, was damaged by the 1898 cyclone and finally disappeared around 1908. On the back section of the property the George T. Sparks estate built the 1,200 seat New Theatre in 1911. Designed as a Beaux Arts style playhouse by Kansas City architect Carl Boller, modeled after the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City. The lavish interior featuring a proscenium stage was ideal for vaudeville shows and silent movies with orchestral accompaniment. In 1922, retail shops and a long Garrison Avenue entrance were built, nicknamed Peacock Alley, a place to see and be seen. In 1942, the theater was sold to Malco Theaters, Inc., who changed the name and modernized the interior space. The Malco Theater operated until the late 1970s when single screen theaters became passé.

Erected 2012 by City of Fort Smith and Others.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 35° 23.074′ N,

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94° 25.289′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. It is on Garrison Avenue east of 10th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1004 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley,

in the Cherokee Heritage Region,

and in Osage Territory.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Towson Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas Corner in 1958 (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Cyclone at Fort Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Immaculate Conception Church in 1906 (approx. 0.2 miles away);

Photo on The New Theatre in 1911 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, circa 1910s

2. Photo on The New Theatre in 1911 Marker

United Spanish War Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); 50 Year Concrete Street Service Award • 1963 (approx. ¼ mile away); Sebastian County California Gold Seekers (approx. ¼ mile away); The Reserve (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

More about this marker. The markers in this series are placed so that viewers can only read them from the sidewalk while facing the historical subject of the marker.

Also see . . .
1. The New Theatre on YouTube. This is probably where the QR Code takes you. (Submitted on January 24, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

2. Historical plaques placed in downtown Fort Smith. (Submitted on January 24, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 17, 2016

3. The New Theatre in 1911 Marker

Looking NNW across Garrison Avenue

The New Theatre in 1911 Marker (rear) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 17, 2016

4. The New Theatre in 1911 Marker (rear)

This is the street view of the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 847 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 24, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.