IOKA Theatre - Exeter, NH
N 42° 58.878 W 070° 56.733
19T E 341371 N 4760574
The theatre opened its' doors on November 1, 1915 with the epic, "The Birth Of A Nation", directed by D. W. Griffith.
Waymark Code: WM51J0
Location: New Hampshire, United States
Date Posted: 10/26/2008
Views: 24
"Louis B. Mayer, the production head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, started his career in the movie business years earlier, not in Hollywood, but in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He owned six theatre/vaudeville houses on River Street, and was cashing in on the movie craze as quickly as new films were released.
Edward Mayer, a Rockingham County Judge who lived in Exeter, visited his prosperous Uncle Louis in Haverhill in 1911 to see what all of the excitement was about. He saw people lined up for blocks, waiting to look at the latest attractions in the newest fad to entertain the masses; the Movies.
Before Edward returned to Exeter he was already planning the building which now exists at 55 Water Street. It took two years to acquire financial backing and another year to locate and purchase a suitable lot of land. Construction of the Mayer Building began in March of 1915.
According to James C. Rathbone, our first manager, the Ioka received its unique name as the result of a contest held shortly before opening to the public. The winner of the contest, a young lady who eventually became the first cashier here, was "steeped in Girl Scouting and Indian Lore." "Ioka", the Scouter said, was a local Squamscot Indian word for "Playground"."
Ticket Price (local currency): 8.00 (listed in local currency)
Matinee Price (local currency): 6.00 (listed in local currency)
Number of Screen(s): 2
Concessions Available: yes
Web site: [Web Link]
Year Theater Opened: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Must take a photo of the theater.
Please try to include yourself or gps in the picture.
Tell of your experience at the theater, if it is still a theater. If it is no longer a theater tell of an experience from the past at the theater, if this can be done.