Springfield’s first moving picture house opened on April 23, 1907, by Joe Green in a frame building on the east side of South Main Street. Mr. Green’s films were one-reel slapstick comedies, the only type available at the time. Unfortunately, they failed to gain enough public interest to sustain the business. After a few months, Mr. Green closed the theater and later partnered with Stewart Williams to open a picture show house in Princeton, Kentucky.
The Electric Theatre and Early Film Showings
In 1908, the Electric Theatre opened on South Main Street but, like its predecessor, closed soon after. That same year, a carnival company hosted a week-long exhibition on the south side of the Public Square, showcasing “The Great Train Robbery,” one of the first multiple-reel motion pictures.
The Royal and Bonita Theaters
On December 1, 1913, C.B. Blackburn rented the Randolph Opera House on North Main Street and ran a theater there for a brief period before relocating to 706 South Main Street, opening the Royal Theatre. Around the same time, M.S. Morton and Steve Holland established the Bonita Theater in a concrete building on the west side of South Main Street.
The Bell and Princess Theaters
In early 1916, J.W. Bell opened the Bell Theatre on the north side of the Public Square (now known as 5th Avenue West). In August 1920, the Crescent Amusement Company of Nashville acquired the Bell Theatre and renamed it the Princess Theatre. The Princess Theatre had a series of managers, including Wallis Walling, Bill Elliott, C.A. Bailey, V.M. Rhinehart, H.D. Judkins, Joe Murphy, and Captain W.D. Ament.
The Legacy of A.L. Hancock
In 1928, A.L. Hancock succeeded Captain Ament as manager of the Princess Theatre. Before taking this role, Hancock worked for Paramount Pictures as a salesman in the Louisville Exchange of the Eastern Division. Hancock managed the Princess Theatre until 1939 when he transitioned to managing the newly opened Capitol Theatre on South Main Street, operated by the Crescent Amusement Company. He remained in this role until his retirement.
The Capitol Theatre continues to operate as Springfield Cinema at 718 S. Main Street. Items from Mr. Hancock’s collection, including photographs of famous movie stars and images from his career, are on display at the Robertson County History Museum.
Revisiting the Museum
The Robertson County History Museum is located at 124 6th Avenue West in Springfield. Since its opening in May, the museum has occupied the historic building that originally served as Springfield’s Post Office Station, built in 1915.
The building housed the county’s first YMCA in the 1970s and later served as an annex to the Courthouse from 1979 to 1997, hosting offices such as the Register of Deeds, Tax Assessor, Trustee, and Planning and Zoning Office.
Museum Exhibits
The museum once featured numerous exhibits detailing Robertson County’s history. Among the highlights were:
- The Princess Theatre and A.L. Hancock collection
- “From Jail to Hospital and Back Again” — chronicling the county’s hospital and jail history beginning in 1933
- Woolen blankets produced at the Springfield Woolen Mills
- A Day Book from Pitt Bros. Saloon and a ledger from Deberry & Couts, accompanied by whiskey jugs from that era
- A photograph of the illuminated tobacco road sign reading “World’s Finest Dark Fired Tobacco”
- A mantle from a house built on Walnut Street in the 1840s
- A mounted Golden Eagle was killed at Wessyngton Plantation before laws protected the endangered species
- A wooden water pipe discovered near 10th Avenue roughly 15 years ago, constructed similarly to whiskey barrels
- Oxen shoes, with each ox requiring two shoes per hoof
- A set of Ford wrenches that originally came with Model T Ford purchases
- A letter from Felix Grundy Ewing of the Planters’ Protection Association during the “Black Patch Wars”
- A potbellied stove and a three-piece parlor suite that once belonged to the family of Joseph W. Byrns
- Numerous photographs showcasing the county’s rich history
The museum once offered a fascinating glimpse into Robertson County’s past, showcasing its whiskey heritage and once-thriving tobacco industry. Exhibits highlighted various aspects of the county’s rich history, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of its cultural heritage.
Fundraising and Special Events
Passport to Spring Dining
The Robertson County Historical Society launched a fundraising program called “Passport to Spring Dining.” Sixteen local restaurants, including Burdett’s Tea Shop, El Molcajete, Larry’s, O’Charley’s, and The Depot, participated in the initiative. With a $10 passport purchase, patrons could receive a 10% discount at participating restaurants until June 30, 2006. Passports were available at the museum gift shop and the Springfield-Robertson County Chamber of Commerce. Guests who collected ten or more validations were eligible to receive a complimentary copy of Robertson County’s Heritage of Homes.
Silent Auction
During the “Key Ingredients: America By Food” exhibit, Electrolux provided a Frigidaire Electric Range for display. This state-of-the-art range was donated to the Robertson County History Museum for a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the museum. Bids were accepted at the museum through April 28th. The product’s features include:
- 2005 Frigidaire Professional Series Electric Range
- Bake N Warm Double Oven
- Stainless Steel Exterior
- Smooth Top
- Convection Oven
- Self-cleaning functionality
- 3500 Watt Bake Element
- 4000 Watt Broiler Element
