The New Theater: A Hub of Entertainment and Memories
The New Theater as it would have looked when in operation. This image is a reconstruction created by Josh Dukes and is based on color photo fire images of the structur e The New Theater in Johnsonville, often referred to interchangeably over the years as the Prosser Theater—was owned and operated by Chives Prosser (1899-1982), a central figure in the town’s early business and entertainment industry. Prosser Eldridge Franklin "E.F." Prosser (a businessman in his own right) and Lillian Camillia Cox Prosser. Chives Prosser, early 1920s Prosser served as Johnsonville’s postmaster from 1920 to 1925, then launched his theater business in 1925 during the silent film era. This first Prosser Theater was located on the south side of Broadway Street approximately where Jake’s BBQ now stands. This original venue, listed in the theater publication Film Daily Yearbook beginning in 1931, had a reported capacity of 200 seats—a figure that remained consistent in issues of...