Inland Theater

Inland Theater developed from Martin’s earlier experience with motion-picture exhibition. The town’s first theater, the Allen Theater, was built in 1925 and 1926. It was among the early theaters in western South Dakota to present talking movies, a technological and cultural shift that helped establish cinema as a regular form of public entertainment in the region. The Allen Theater was destroyed by a tornado in 1939. The loss of the Allen prompted the construction of a replacement venue. Work on Inland Theater began in September 1939, only months after the destruction of the earlier building. The new theater was designed in the Art Deco style, an architectural language widely associated with modernity, streamlined ornament, and entertainment buildings of the period. Its planned capacity was approximately 300 people, making it a substantial civic and commercial venue for Martin while remaining appropriate to the size of the community. Inland Theater opened on January 14, 1940. For the following decades it functioned as a local movie theater, providing residents with access to commercial films without requiring travel to a larger regional center. Like many small-town cinemas, its significance extended beyond the screen: the theater served as a gathering place and embodied the place of popular entertainment in community life. The theater continued operating until 1991, when it was put up for sale. The building later changed hands, and in 1997 it was purchased and reopened. The available historical account does not specify the buyers, operating entity, programming, or the precise extent of any restoration associated with the reopening. It therefore supports the conclusion that the venue returned to use, but not a detailed account of its later business operations. Recognition followed in 2013. Inland Theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 30, 2013. The listing placed the building within the documented historic resources of Bennett County and acknowledged its architectural and local historical value. The theater remains best understood as a historic cinema property whose identity is tied to Martin’s twentieth-century entertainment history, its Art Deco design, and its continuity with the town’s earlier Allen Theater. Current ownership, operating schedule, and commercial status are not established by the supplied sources.

• 2013

  National Register designation

  [1]Inland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  Inland Theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 30.

• 1997

  Theater purchased and reopened

  [1]Inland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The theater is purchased and reopened after its period of closure.

• 1991

  Theater placed for sale

  [1]Inland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  After operating for more than five decades, Inland Theater is put up for sale.

• 1940

  Inland Theater opens

  [1]Inland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The Art Deco Inland Theater opens on January 14 with capacity for approximately 300 people.

• 1939

  Allen Theater destroyed and replacement planned

  [1]Inland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  A tornado destroys the Allen Theater. Construction of Inland Theater begins in September of the same year.

• 1926

  Allen Theater completed

  [1]Inland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The Allen Theater is completed and becomes an early western South Dakota venue for talking pictures.

• 1925

  Allen Theater construction begins

  [1]Inland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  Martin’s first theater, the Allen Theater, begins construction; it is completed in the 1925–1926 period.

A community-oriented historic cinema and preserved Art Deco theater serving as a local venue for motion-picture exhibition and as a heritage landmark.

• Movie theater · 1940

  Inland Theater cinema

  The venue’s primary offering was motion-picture exhibition in a purpose-built auditorium of approximately 300 seats. Its historic role was to provide Martin and surrounding communities with a local place to watch commercially distributed films and participate in a shared entertainment experience. The available sources do not identify specific film programs, concessions, ticket prices, or technical equipment.

• 1997

  Reopen the historic theaterOther

  Background

  Inland Theater had been placed for sale in 1991 after operating since 1940.

  Action taken

  The property was purchased and reopened in 1997.

  Aftermath

  The reopening returned the historic cinema building to use, although the available sources do not document the operating company or subsequent programming.

  Source

• 1939

  Build a replacement theater after the Allen Theater disasterStrategy

  Background

  The Allen Theater, Martin’s first cinema, was destroyed by a tornado in 1939, removing the community’s established movie venue.

  Action taken

  Construction of a new Art Deco theater began in September 1939, creating the venue that became Inland Theater.

  Aftermath

  The replacement theater opened on January 14, 1940 and continued Martin’s tradition of local movie exhibition.

  Source

1. 1Inland Theateren.wikipedia.org
2. 2National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Inland Theaternps.gov