Upper Alton Theaters
OUATOGA/MARS/GEM THEATER
On April 9, 1913, William A. Clark of Upper Alton opened the Ouatoga
Theater, at 1662 Washington Avenue in Upper Alton. The theater was
just south of the W. A. Clark Drugstore, which was located on the
southwest corner of College and Washington Avenues (where Walgreens
is now located). The Ouatoga was Upper Alton's first indoor movie
theater. It was managed by Mr. Reilly. On the second floor of the
building was the Ouatoga Hall, which was rented to the Odd Fellows,
Rebekahs, and the Junior Order of Mechanics. The name of the Ouatoga
was changed to the Mars Theater in 1921.
In 1923, Frank Davis bought the Mars Theater and remodeled the
building and re-opened as the 250-seat Gem Theater. Movies were
silent in the early days of the Gem, with admission being 25 cents
for adults, and 10 cents for children. They showed a lot of westerns
with Tom Mix and Bill Hart. Frank’s son, “Bud” Davis, became manager
of the Gem. He and his three sisters played their violins in the
orchestra pit of the theater. The Gem was a popular place for the
Western Military cadets. Every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon they
came to the theater for entertainment. On Monday nights, the theater
gave away a dish, which for those who attended regularly, soon added
up to a full set of dishware. Frank Davis sold the theater to a St.
Louis businessman who also owned the Norside Theater in North Alton.
The building was torn razed in 1997 when the new Walgreens was
constructed.
OUATOGA THEATRE READY FOR OPENING
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 8, 1913
All is ready for the opening of the Ouatoga Theatre in Upper Alton.
Manager
Reilly having given the final touches to the arrangements.
The opening of the little playhouse in Upper Alton is an event in
the amusement world of Alton, this being the first theatre in Upper
Alton. Manager Reilly will select with much care the pictures and
the acts that will appear in the theatre, and will make of it an
educational theatre where high class attractions, both in pictures
and otherwise, will always be found.
The opening bill at the new Ouatoga Theatre is as follows: The
Monopol Film Company presents "As in a Looking Glass." Greatest
dramatic production ever conceived. Miss Marion Leonard was never
seen to better advantage than in this forcefully dramatic picture.
The character she plays is so side in its scope, so full of storm
and sunshine, that it gives her an almost unexampled chance to use
her great power of departing emotion. The spectator sitting before
the screen is held from first to last by the strong affecting story
so truthfully acted and by the indescribable beauty of its
backgrounds that have been photographed into lovely pictures.
NEW OWNER OF OUATOGA WILL NOT PERMIT SABBATH SHOWS
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 13, 1921
The Ouatoga Theater, Upper Alton's only movie house, has been closed
and every indication is that it will remain closed as far as
theatrical purposes are concerned. The new owner of the property,
Frank Hussey, says there absolutely shall be no Sunday picture shows
in the Ouatoga while he is the owner, and his position in this
matter has caused all negotiations for the lease of the theater to
be called off, as those who would like to conduct the theater
business in the Ouatoga claim it would be useless to attempt such a
thing if the best night of the week in the movie business must be
sacrificed. W. H. Weigler of Staunton, who managed the Ouatoga
theater a short time for W. A. Clark, before the latter sold the
property, has closed up the theater and has left Alton, as he could
make no agreement with the owner as to the Sunday night shows. Mr.
Hussey said the theater was run one Sunday night after he had taken
possession of the property on the first day of August, but Mr.
Weigler was the manager of the theater at that time and he did not
desire to cause any trouble as to the one night's run when the old
manager's lease had not expired. After the one Sunday night, Mr.
Hussey made it known to Weigler that the place positively could not
be used on Sunday night for a theater. W. M. Sauvage was carrying on
negotiations with Mr. Hussey for the lease of the Ouatoga. It was
stated that Mr. Sauvage was very anxious to get hold of the Ouatoga,
and it was good news to Upper Alton people generally when it became
known that he was considering taking over the Ouatoga. The Sunday
night question, however, blocked the whole deal. Several other
people have been in Alton during the past ten days to lease the
Ouatoga and to put up a first-class picture house in Upper Alton,
but the Sunday night question was a dead ender, and all negotiations
for the lease of the show house are off. W. A. Clark, the man who
built the Ouatoga and who has been conducting the business for a
good many year past, sold the theater along with the business corner
to Mr. Hussey, the purchaser taking charge the first of August. Mr.
Hussey bought the property for investment. He is the son of a
Baptist minister, the Rev. Simeon Hussey, was raised in Upper Alton,
and is a Shurtleff college graduate. The young man is a teacher in
Grover Cleveland high school in St. Louis. He is said to be among
the leading instructors in the city. Hussey said today that his
position on the Sunday question would no doubt result in
the
abolishing of the Ouatoga in Upper Alton. In fact, Mr. Hussey said,
he has already made plans for using the property for other business
purposes. The closing of Upper Alton's picture house is causing much
comment there. Business men in that section of the city consider it
a serious blow to the Seventh Ward. Programs were given on Wednesday
and Saturday afternoon at the Ouatoga for the Western Military
cadets and the picture show served to keep the cadets in Upper Alton
on these two afternoons when they are out of school, officials of
the institution not permitting the cadets to go down town or to get
on a street car or other kind of carrier. With this rule in vogue,
the Upper Alton business houses get the patronage of the cadets.
With the cadets to go down town to a show, this will take the ice
cream and candy trade of the cadets down town too, it is asserted.
Hussey says he has been approached by numerous Upper Alton people
who are very much interested in keeping the picture house going in
the Seventh Ward. He says he feels that many owners of amusement
places that are run on Sunday would like to close up their _______
on that day if all the others who run those places would do so, and
he says he's going to be one of those who closes up whether the
other fellow does or not. Mr. Hussey says he believes the time is
not far away when the blue laws will go into effect the country
over. He says he has offered many inducements to those who wanted to
run the theater to run it through the week with no Sunday show, but
he says they are all afraid of the proposition with no show on the
night of the week they consider the best.
DEAL FOR LEASING OF OUATOGA TO SYNDICATE IS ON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 15, 1921
A deal is on for the leasing of the Ouatoga Theater to a syndicate
that owns a chain of theaters through the country, and it was stated
today by George Hall of the Hall Realty Company, agents for the
Hussey property, that the deal is far enough along to guarantee its
completion. A poster was placed on the theater this morning
announcing the fact that it would open for business Thursday. Mr.
Hall, who handles the property for the Hussey family, says there is
a possibility of an arrangement being made by the syndicate taking
the lease to run religious pictures on Sunday night. He thinks this
arrangement could be made although it is understood that the
syndicate is willing to take the theater with the understanding that
there are to be no Sunday shows at all. It is believed religious
pictures would be a great drawing card for the theater on Sundays,
and that many people would attend then who never do otherwise.
ROCK SPRING PARK ELECTRIC THEATER
The Electric Theater in Upper Alton was located at the Rock Spring
Park. In 1896, Joseph F. Porter, President of the Alton Railway and
Illuminating Company, purchased land from Harry Marsh along College
Avenue, just west of Upper Alton. This land was known for a rock
spring, which was reportedly used by Indians and early pioneers for
drinking purposes. Porter planned on creating a summer resort, with
his electric streetcar bringing guests from around the Alton area.
He planted trees, shrubbery, and flower gardens, and built a dam to
create a small lake at the park. Through the combined efforts of
Joseph Porter and William A. Sauvage, a small summer theater with a
stage was built at the park (on the east side of the lake), where
live performances were held. Over two thousand people attended the
grand opening of the park in June 1907. At the theater, live
performers thrilled the audience. Radcliff and Belmont, the world’s
greatest rifle shots, performed their feat by shooting small objects
in every position imaginable. There were also musical comedians,
clowns, trapeze performers and contortionists. The theater had a
capacity of 950 people, and was managed by J. Edgar Collins. In the
summer of 1907, the Electric Theater was partially destroyed by
fire, owing to the exploding of the film. No one was injured. The
damage amounted to about $500. The building was razed.
In 1907, William Eliot Smith (co-founder of the Illinois Glass Works
in Alton, who owned property next to the park) and Joseph Porter
combined their land and decided to give the property to the city of
Alton to use as a community park.
SUMMER PLAYHOUSE AT THE PARK
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 17, 1900
Mr. William M. Sauvage and Mr. Joseph F. Porter today announced they
will establish a summer theater at Rock Spring Park to be opened
about June 1, where plays will be given during the summer. A theater
to seat 1,000 people and with standing room for as many more will be
built on the east side of the lake and will be approached by way of
a rustle bridge over the lake. Tables will be provided where ice
cream and soft drinks can be served and the place will be handsomely
fitted up. Mr. Porter has leased a strip of ground east of the park
to make room for the theater.
OVER TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE VISITED ROCK SPRING PARK
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 18, 1907
It is estimated that over two thousand people visited this beautiful
spot Sunday and Sunday night. The park begins to look like a real
White City. The theatre, the electric theatre, the Arcade, the
Merry-Go-Round, the Dance Hall, the Wonderland, the Shooting
Gallery, the Parlor Bowling, the Novelty Balls, the Ring Stand, the
Curio Shop, the Studio, the refreshment stand, were all well
patronized, affording all kinds of amusement for the visitors.
Hundreds of people witnessed the free balloon ascension at 5:30 p.m.
This daring ride by Prof. Hill is considered to be one of the best
ascensions ever seen in Alton. The electric wire walking is a great
feature. Prof. Hills daring feat, the slide for life, is a
sensational act and should be seen by everybody. The slide for life,
the balloon ascension, the electric wire walking, and many other
high-class attractions are free. The Rock Spring theatre presented
one of the strongest and best vaudeville performances ever given in
Alton, every performer handling his part very cleverly. Radcliff and
Belmont, the world's greatest rifle shots, do a very clever act,
shooting at small objects in every position imaginable. Their equal
has never been seen in Alton. Stemm and La Grange, musical
comedians, present an exceptionally good repertoire of musical
selections, playing on various different kinds of instruments,
bringing forth applause from everybody who hears them. The Great
Wagner, clown, trapeze and contortionist, does one of the best
trapeze acts ever seen in this country, introducing something
entirely new and never before seen in this city. Miss Helen Stewart,
lightning change artist, in singing and dancing specialties, brings
down the house. Delzell sisters, song and dance artists, are very
clever indeed, and present the audience with a unique and up to date
sketch of real good songs and clever dances. Francisco and Crosse do
a very clever sketch entitled, "Morning Exercises." It is funny,
especially the dancing feature, which is exceptionally good. The
Majestic Trio, in a roaring afterpiece, "The Dutch Judge," hold the
audience in real tears of joy and laughter. All in all, the
performances given in this theatre by the above people are really
recognized to be the best vaudeville attraction ever placed on the
stage of any theatre at such a small admission price. The theatre is
built on a large scale, amply able to take care of the best
attractions, and the management assures the public that there will
be no time lost in securing at all times the very best attractions
obtainable. The theatre was filled to its seating capacity at the
Matinee and night performances yesterday. The seating capacity of
the theatre is 950 people, and there was a little room left, which
was also filled. The Temple theatre orchestra is engaged to render
music for the theatre for the season.
J. Edgar Collins, general manager of the Rock Spring Theatre and
other concessions, including the Electric Theatre and the
Wonderland, is a manger of years of experience and seems to know
just what particular kind of attractions suit the public, judging
from the comments passed on the performances given in Mr. Collins'
theatre. It is an ideal spot to spend the evening, cool breezes and
plenty of attractions is the talk of Rock Spring Park.
AMATEUR CONTEST AT ROCK SPRING THEATER
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 20, 1907
Fun! Fun! Fun! Big amateur performance Friday night at Rock Spring
Theatre. High class vaudeville at Rock Spring theatre tonight.
Children 10 cents. Adults 20 cents. A prize will be given to the
winner in the amateur contest at the Rock Spring theatre Friday
night.
GOOD PROGRAM AT ROCK SPRING PARK THEATER
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 8, 1907
A good list of attractions is being offered this week at the Rock
Spring park theatre. Ahearn and Baxter, acrobatic comedians, are
giving an excellent entertainment. The "Huntress," who will give a
second week here, will show how he "makes up" as a woman in making
his appearance on the stage. There are still some who do not believe
that the "Huntress" is the man who claims to be the "woman" seen in
the acts on the Rock Spring Park theater stage. There are two
juvenile performers in songs and dances which are highly pleasing to
women and children especially. Morris and Morris, the two English
eccentrics, is one of the best turns ever seen in Alton. The Rock
Spring Park attractions are proving very successful. The White
Hussars band concert yesterday entertained a large crowd.
ROCK SPRING THEATER
Source: New York Clipper, August 10, 1907
At Rock Spring Park (W. M. Sauvage, manager) Prof. Hill with his
balloon is the feature attraction this week. The Rock Springs
Theatre had a splendid bill week of July 28, including Jeanette
Adler and company, Romaine and Campbell, Claude Austin and Hutchison
and Lusby. Note - a new concern has been added to Rock Springs Park,
called 'The Congress of Novelties.'
UPTOWN/CAMEO THEATER
The Uptown Theater in Upper Alton opened Saturday, January 18, 1936.
It was located on the west side of Washington Avenue, about where
O’Reilly
Auto Parts is today. Opening day featured a four-hour gala
entertainment, with two motion pictures, comedy, news, seven acts of
vaudeville, and an 11-piece orchestra. Seating 627 people in leather
cushioned seats, the theater was constructed on property formerly
owned by Dr. J. P. Hale. The brick building was 130 feet long and 42
feet wide, decorated in front with glass and a canopy over the
ticket booth. The interior was finished in “modernistic style,”
including air conditioning and steam filtered heat. Joe Goldfarb was
the owner of the Uptown Theater and the Starlight Drive-In Theater
in Alton. Goldfarb came to the Wood River area in 1910, and was
employed at Standard Oil. In 1921 he moved to Upper Alton to take
over the ownership of a meat market. He
also opened a dry goods
store in 1922, and built the old A&P Store on Washington Avenue in
Upper Alton. Goldfarb died in April 1975.
For thirty-one years the Uptown entertained young and old alike. In
June 1967, the theater changed to the Cameo Theater. The building
was razed in October 1988 to make way for a Hardees Restaurant
(which has since been razed to make way for the O'Reilly Auto
Parts).