A Theater? Yes !

     Local lore, heretofore unsubstantiated, has it that this building at 209 Harrison Avenue was a movie theater at one time.  A 1908 Sanborn map image below verifies that it was a theater.  It is indicated that moving pictures were shown in the building in summer.  This indicates it was a seasonal use to attract the many people who proceeded down Harrison Avenue from South Broad Street to enter White City Park.  The park entrance on McClellan Avenue is seen on the far left. 

Harrison Avenue of Yesteryear

This is the view experienced by the patrons of Spring Lake and White City Parks as they alighted from the trolley on South Broad Street beginning in 1893 for the walk down Harrison Avenue to the park entrance seen in the distance.  The White City Hotel, sometimes simply referred to as the Park Hotel, is seen on the left.

Movie Theater?

Following a presentation on White City Park given by Tom Glover at Kuser Farm Mansion a couple of years ago, someone stated that this building at 209 Harrison Avenue was a movie theater at one time.  Unfortunately, contact information for that person was not obtained.  Note that the building has extensive depth which would lend itself to being a movie theater.  Extensive searching for verification has not proven fruitful..  Information anyone?