Subway Theatre

The Subway Theatre was a narrow, thrice-named silent era movie theater in downtown Elkhart, Indiana. Russell Blair opened originally as the Princess Theatre with silent films and songs on October 9, 1909 at 612 South Main Street. This was common programming for silent nickelodeons with only one projector. The previous tenant was the Star Billiards Hall which appears to have been closed for allowing underage players. The Princess Theater abdicated her position on March 4, 1915.

New owners Dan Corscarelly and John Mariel took on the venue changing its name to the Hippodrome Theatre. Mariel moved over from his managerial duties at the nearby Family Theatre. The Hipp opened on March 13, 1915 with “The Erring Lubin” and “The Billionaire". The venue advertised two projectors and no stops. A variety of operators are associated with the venue for the next four years. It closed in February of 1919 with a classified ad offering the theater for sale or trade.

Norman B. “Dad” Yates took on the venue on April 18, 1919. Opening film was Florence Reed in “The Struggle Everlasting". Unfortunately, Yates took his life within two years and under new operators, the venue remained a nickel / dime discount house.

The Subway’s name appears to be owed to a significant proposed subway project by New York Central Railroad and the City of Elkhart here at Main Street. Elkhart served as a significant hub between Chicago and the East Coast with a division point, classification yard, and maintenance facility. But that led to pedestrian risk taking and the City approved a major pedestrian subway here on Main Street. That project - upwards of $4 million in 1920’s dollars - never came to fruition. The Subway Theater’s terminus was on February 28, 1926 closing with Jack Hoxie in “The Demon.”

The theaterwas replaced by the Home Lumber Company retail store and a variety of occupants thereafter. The building lasted past its 100th Anniversary. But a fire destroyed it on July 19, 2016. Fortunately, both neighboring structures were unharmed. However, the charred remains of the building remained for a year.

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