Strand Theatre, Kendallville, Indiana

The Story of the Strand Theatre, Kendallville, Indiana

Beginnings: From Grand Opera House to Early Movies (1890–1919)

The building that is now the Strand Theatre began its life as the Spencer Opera House, opening in September 1890. At the time it cost about $29,000 to build and seated around 750 people, with dress-circle, balcony seating, and box seats. Its first production was the play “Edmund Kean.” The Spencer Opera House became a local cultural hub, offering opera, traditional theater, minstrel shows, and Shakespeare-style plays.

In 1905, the house changed hands and became the Boyer Opera House. Under the Boyer name, it continued hosting live theater and minstrel shows, and by 1909, the venue was showing its first moving pictures. During World War I, the Boyer Opera House closed its doors, remaining shuttered until 1919, when it reopened, reinvented more for film than live theatre.

Birth of the Strand: The Movie Era Begins (1928–1950s)

In 1928, the building was purchased by a new owner and renamed the Strand Theatre. With the advent of cinema’s golden age, the Strand adapted. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, its seating capacity was expanded to as many as 953 seats, and a brand-new screen and modern sound system were installed.

The theater embraced the times: serials, double features, and Saturday matinees made the Strand a staple of local entertainment. In 1952, a massive CinemaScope screen and stereophonic sound were installed. The theater also began selling candy and popcorn, a now-classic tradition.

In the late 1950s and into the 1960s, the Strand regularly showed long-running Hollywood epics, attracting large audiences and cementing the theater as a destination not just for movies but for communal, shared cinematic experiences.

Changing Times: Decline, Renovation, Reinvention (1980–2000s)

By 1980, like many single-screen theaters, the Strand faced challenges: shifting audience tastes, competition from multiplexes, and changes in media consumption. A major renovation “twinned” the theater, transforming it from one large auditorium into two screens. The lobby and office space were expanded, the old stage removed, and the outside ticket booth demolished.

This allowed the Strand to remain relevant for a time, though some of the theater’s original grandeur was lost. Despite challenges, the iconic marquee remained, a symbol of the theater’s enduring presence.

Rescue & Revival: Community Steps Up (2013–Present)

A turning point came in 2013 when film distribution shifted to digital formats, requiring investment in new projection equipment. The community rallied to fund the upgrades, ensuring the theater could continue operating. This grassroots effort didn’t just preserve a building — it preserved a legacy, securing the Strand as a cultural anchor for downtown Kendallville.

Today, the Strand continues to operate as a first-run movie theater with two screens, matinees, and evening showings, providing family-friendly entertainment and maintaining its role as a community gathering place.

More Than Movies — Identity, Memory & Local Culture

Over more than 130 years, the Strand has been more than a place to watch films. It has been a cultural beacon, a bridge between live theater and cinema, a communal space for generations, and a rallying point for community action. It carries stories of early plays, moving pictures, family traditions, and community pride.

Why the Strand Matters Today

1. Historic continuity: Few small-town theaters trace an unbroken line from 19th-century opera house to 21st-century cinema.
2. Community anchor: The Strand brings foot traffic, supports nearby businesses, and strengthens downtown Kendallville.
3. Cultural memory: For residents, the theater is part of their shared history and identity.
4. Local entertainment: It offers a different experience from multiplexes and streaming, with charm and community connection.

Challenges & Questions Ahead

The theater faces ongoing challenges:

1. Maintenance & modernization: Old buildings require constant care and investment.
2. Competing entertainment habits: Streaming, home theaters, and multiplexes draw audiences away.
3. Economic pressures: Small-town downtowns face declining populations and limited growth.
4. Balancing heritage with relevance: Preserving historic charm while attracting younger audiences is a delicate balance.

What the Future Could Hold

The Strand’s history suggests adaptability. Possible directions include:

1. Mixed use: Hosting live events, concerts, community theater, and film retrospectives.
2. Community hub: Serving as a multipurpose cultural center for local events and education.
3. Heritage tourism: Drawing visitors interested in historic theaters and small-town America.
4. Youth and education programming: Engaging younger generations with film-making workshops, classic film nights, and local-history events.

In Summary

The Strand Theatre isn’t just a building — it’s a story of ambition, entertainment, adaptation, decline, and revival. From 1890 opera nights to 21st-century movies, the Strand has seen it all. Its survival, thanks to community effort, makes it a rare gem among American small-town theaters. As long as the people of Kendallville value heritage, community, and shared experience, the Strand has a future, continuing to serve as a living link between past and present.