This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
The Passing of the Grand Age of Theaters
Winchester's grand era of theater began around 1900 with venues like Hable's Palace and the Empire and flourished through live acts, vaudeville, and silent films. By the 1940s to 60s, drive ins and TV helped end the era, with locals recalling Gibson Girls, the Empire fire, and a shift to shopping center theaters.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joe Pageant
Star
Winchester
Hable’s Palace
Loudoun Street
Capitol
Cameron Street
Rouss Avenue
America
Old Empire
The
Market Street
Rouss City Hall
Frederick County Court House
Gibson Girls
Kenneth Henry
Empire
Vaudevilliains
L. G. Fields Minstrels
Merry Widow
Illuminatti
Henry Seal
Louis Bachrach
Main Street
the Capitol
Warner Brothers
Linda Lovelace