The Jefferson Theatre (aka Smith’s Theatre)
Above: Interior view of the Jefferson Theater, west side of Second Street, between Ludlow and Court Streets, Hamilton, Ohio. Photo from “Hamilton and Its Environs”, by the Baldwin Publishing Company, 1906.
Above: Smith's Theatre -- South Second St. Near High. Opened March 31, 1903, as Jefferson Theatre -- Tom C. Smith, manager. 1908, leased to Cohan and Harris -- renamed Smith's Theatre -- Tom C. Smith, manager. Feb. 14, 1914, purchased by John Schwalm and Sam Broomhall and called Jefferson Theater. Destroyed by fire January 4, 1928.
The Hossfeld Building we discussed the other day was almost directly across the street from the Smith Theater. [The Hossfeld Building, which is still standing, is located on the east side of South 2nd Street between Court and Ludlow Streets. Throughout the early and mid 20th Century the four-story building served as a hotel using three known names: Hotel Connor, Hotel De Armond, and Hotel Hamilton. During the later years of the last century, the structure became an apartment complex.]
The Hossfeld Building we discussed the other day was almost directly across the street from the Smith Theater. [The Hossfeld Building, which is still standing, is located on the east side of South 2nd Street between Court and Ludlow Streets. Throughout the early and mid 20th Century the four-story building served as a hotel using three known names: Hotel Connor, Hotel De Armond, and Hotel Hamilton. During the later years of the last century, the structure became an apartment complex.]
Above: Tom C. Smith, announcer and control room engineer for WRK radio station, Hamilton, Ohio, ca. 1927. Mr. Smith also worked earlier with his father Thomas A. Smith in the operation of the Jefferson and Smith Theater. Later was projectionist at the Paramount Theater. Photo from the George C. Cummins “Remember When” Photograph Collection. Donated by the family of George C. Cummins. Photo used courtesy of the George C. Cummins "Remember When" Collection at the Hamilton Lane Library, Hamilton, Ohio.
Above: Ushers of Smith's Theater, South Second St., about 1910. Louis Ross, Cass Imhoff, unidentified, Ben Steen, Les Francis, William Hale, Unidentifed, James Brannon, Dan Brannon (chief), Gretner Small, Charles Blumenthal, Louis Bruck, Carlisle Howald (?), Ed Dorenbush.
