Martin Theatre
626 Market Street,
Chattanooga,
TN
37402
626 Market Street,
Chattanooga,
TN
37402
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Independent Theatres, Publix
Previous Names: State Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The State Theatre opened by Publix on October 1, 1928 with Dolores Costello in “Glorious Betsy”. From December 22, 22, 1961 it was renamed Martin Theatre screening Jerry Lewis in “The Errand Boy”. It was closed in 1979 and was demolished later that year.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 26 comments)
Thanks CWalczak.
Well so much for that then. Its sad to know its gone like so many others have gone, to be replaced by grocery stores and walmarts. There is an old theatre here in downtown Crown Point that looks like it was built in the 30`s, I have plans on going there one day hopefully and talking to the projectionist and seeing if he will let me video him starting up a movie. If I do I will post a message on here and a link to youtube so everyone can see it. This is a walk in, not a drive in.
Yes I think that is the name of it. I
ll be driving downtown maybe today or tomorrow so Ill check it out and see for sure.most of those guys will be glad to let you video tape. I came across one prick in Beauford,S.C. at the Hwy 21 Drive-in.Today he is gone,him and his crabby old wife, and new owners have it they gave me an extensive interview,great new owners. Hwy 21 is on CT.
KenRoe et al, I’ve heard a rumor that the II/8 Wurlitzer from this theatre survived in Chattanooga in a person’s home into the 1990’s. Any confirmation or knowledge on this topic?
I lived in Chattanooga in the 50,s and worked at the Capital Theater as an usher I now live in Somerset Ky and we have a Twin Drive-in and its still going strong it shows all first runs a long with our walk in theaters.Back then their were Theaters all up and down Market Street most opened before noon and ran till 11pm and the side walks were so packed with people you could hardly move.
My dad was a HVAC technician back when these theaters were open. His name was Bill Elrod also known as Larry Elrod. Anybody remember him? Many times they didn’t have the money to pay him and instead paid him in gold and diamond jewelry and once and Thompson Sub machine gun…lol… My father said that some were owned by the “mob”. I don’t know if there is any truth to that its just what I was told by him.
This description credit the Chattanooga has History facebook page. It accompanied the marquee image posted in the Photos section.
The State Theater that was located at 626 Market street, when this photo was made in 1956, it was purchased by the Independent Theaters Inc. from Signal Amusement Co.
The Signal Amusement Company’s officers were Charles H. Simpson Jr. president, Otto J. Heyer Vice president, J. Dewey Bass treasure and Fred S. Turnbull was the secretary .
The property was owned by Z. Carter Patten. And this purchase was the twelfth theater that Independent had now owned in the area.
Yes The State Theatre Opened On October 1, 1928 With “Glorious Betsy” (A Warner Bros Film). Publix Operated The Theater For Only A Few Years During The Late 1920’s And Early 1930’s.
Reopened as Martin theatre on December 22nd, 1961. Grand opening ad posted.