Movie theatres have seen many changes over the years; some have evolved into cineplexes or multiplexes, and others have quietly slipped into oblivion due to changing times and demographics. But The Eagles Theatre, Wabash’s grand ol’ lady, will soon celebrate a centennial of live shows, movies and family entertainment in March, 2006. In 1985 the Wabash landmark was named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Constructed and financed by hundreds of people through the efforts of the Wabash Eagles Lodge, The Eagles Theatre was built for the princely sum of $60,000 and opened its doors March 27, 1906 with a live show featuring Chicago’s Miss Bertha Gallant and her touring company.

Built on the grounds of the old Hyman house at 106 W. Market Street, Eagles Theatre contained four stories, a basement, 18 offices, two dressing rooms, and Eagles lodge rooms. The theatre occupied the first floor; offices and the theatre’s two balconies covered the second and third floors, and the fourth floor housed a large ballroom. The Eagles seated over 1200 persons – 478 on the ground level, 326 in the first balcony and an additional 400 in the upper gallery. There were four box seats, a spacious 37 x 63 foot wide stage that was 56 feet high, and 11 dressing rooms.

Today the proud ol’ dame gamely fights age and attrition, but continues to be a favored locale of family entertainment with nightly shows seven days a week. The owner, Michael Rembusch, is a third generation movie industry entrepreneur and president of Syndicate Theatres of Franklin, Indiana. Rembusch and others like Wabash Marketplace, Inc. are working to preserve the famous old theatre.

Also assisting with that effort and overseeing the day-to-day administration of Eagles Theatre are manager Susan Keffaber and assistant manager Ralph Shrock. Together they continue their labor of love to renovate and preserve the facility so it can remain a staple of downtown Wabash and a treasured place of family enjoyment.