The Family Theatre
By Martin E. Nass
Webster City had another theater, called the Family Theater, which featured vaudeville,
musical acts, and other forms of entertainment. The theater was located at 617 Second
Street in the same building that later became the Isis Theatre. E. H. Martin arranged
for the acts and managed the theater until it closed in 1910. The newspapers of the
1907 - 1909 mention the theater.
An article in the Feb. 8, 1909 Tribune appeared as, "Miss Lillie Carson, the lady
who appeared at the Family Theatre in a vaudeville stunt the first three days of
February, assisted an elderly German lady who could speak only a few words of English.
She was travelling by train and came in on the Illinois Central but had to depart
on the Chicago & Northwestern. She was confused and agitated when she was observed
by Miss Carson. When Miss Carson figured out that her train would not be leaving
until the following morning, she took the elderly lady with her to the Family Theatre
that evening, afterwards taking her to the boarding house for the night. On Wednesday
morning Miss Carson escorted the lady to the depot to make her train connection."
In the March 11, 1909 edition of the Webster City Journal a very large advertisement
appears for this theater. "The Family Theatre - The Home of Vaudeville and Moving
Pictures - Complete Change of Vaudeville on Monday & Thursday - Change of Motion
Pictures on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday"
The ad continues, "You always get your money's worth. Come and bring your family.
Stay as long as you want. It costs 10 cents; children under 12 years of age 5 cents."
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