Lawrence Theatre
1605 J Street,
Bedford,
IN
47421
1605 J Street,
Bedford,
IN
47421
No one has favorited this theater yet
Showing 3 comments
The Lawrence must have been the theater labeled “Motion Pictures” at 1605 J Street on the 1922 Sanborn map of Bedford. The map shows a rather shallow balcony and no stage. Current Google Street view (here) shows an interesting old brick building with a crenelated second floor parapet wall. The three-bay façade with a taller center section still has a fairly theatrical appearance, even though there is no marquee. It looks to be in good condition, at least on the exterior, and is currently occupied by a business called Crane’s Leather and Shoe Store.
The Lawrence launched on December 20, 1920 with Lon Chaney in “The Penalty.” Publix Theatres took on the venue from McCarrell’s Amusements effective January 1, 1930. Publix did not convert the theater to sound or - apparently - have any intentions to operated the venue as a movie house and it becomes a live event theater.
McCarrell established Theatrical Managers Inc. taking back the theater in 1935. It’s equipped with sound and remains a movie house until early 1952. It is used for sporadic live events and church services until being remodeled for other purposes in 1959.
Opened in 1921, closed in 1932, reopened in 1937 as a special events theater, closed in 1959.