Chicago Tribune May 14, 1944:
OWNER OF FIRST CHICAGO MOVIE THEATER IS DEAD
Aaron J. Jones Sr. Once Ran 36 Houses.
Aaron J. Jones Sr., 68, owner and operator of Chicago's first motion picture theater in 1905, died early yesterday in his home at Flossmoor. He was a member of the firm of Jones, Linick, and Schaefer, theater firm operating the McVickers and La Salle theaters in the loop and a movie house in Homewood. His two sons, Aaron, Jr. and John J., were associated with him in business.
When 17, Mr. Jones served as a catalog salesman at the Columbian Exposition in 1893. He pioneered in Chicago show business with a penny arcade in 1902. Three years later he hired an electrician, bought a phonograph, and opened the first motion picture theater in Chicago in the Palmer House block on State st. near Adams st.
Theater Had 300 Seats.
It seated 300 persons and the admittance was a nickel. "The Great Train Robbery" was one of the early pictures. The same year Jones and Joseph Byfield opened the White City amusement park.
Mr. Jones expanded his operations until he had 36 theaters, legitimate and motion picture, under his control.
Services Set for Tomorrow.
He was a member of the Illinois Athletic club, president of the Idlewild Country club, a member of the Fort Dearborn chapter of the Masonic order, and a former director of the Associated Jewish Charities, Chicago.
Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. tomorrow in the chapel at 936 E. 47th st. Burial will be in Free Sons' cemetery, Forest Park. In addition to his sons, his survivors are his widow, Ella, and three grandchildren.
OWNER OF FIRST CHICAGO MOVIE THEATER IS DEAD
Aaron J. Jones Sr. Once Ran 36 Houses.
Aaron J. Jones Sr., 68, owner and operator of Chicago's first motion picture theater in 1905, died early yesterday in his home at Flossmoor. He was a member of the firm of Jones, Linick, and Schaefer, theater firm operating the McVickers and La Salle theaters in the loop and a movie house in Homewood. His two sons, Aaron, Jr. and John J., were associated with him in business.
When 17, Mr. Jones served as a catalog salesman at the Columbian Exposition in 1893. He pioneered in Chicago show business with a penny arcade in 1902. Three years later he hired an electrician, bought a phonograph, and opened the first motion picture theater in Chicago in the Palmer House block on State st. near Adams st.
Theater Had 300 Seats.
It seated 300 persons and the admittance was a nickel. "The Great Train Robbery" was one of the early pictures. The same year Jones and Joseph Byfield opened the White City amusement park.
Mr. Jones expanded his operations until he had 36 theaters, legitimate and motion picture, under his control.
Services Set for Tomorrow.
He was a member of the Illinois Athletic club, president of the Idlewild Country club, a member of the Fort Dearborn chapter of the Masonic order, and a former director of the Associated Jewish Charities, Chicago.
Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. tomorrow in the chapel at 936 E. 47th st. Burial will be in Free Sons' cemetery, Forest Park. In addition to his sons, his survivors are his widow, Ella, and three grandchildren.
Chicago Tribune May 14, 1944:
OWNER OF FIRST CHICAGO MOVIE THEATER IS DEAD
Aaron J. Jones Sr. Once Ran 36 Houses.
Aaron J. Jones Sr., 68, owner and operator of Chicago's first motion picture theater in 1905, died early yesterday in his home at Flossmoor. He was a member of the firm of Jones, Linick, and Schaefer, theater firm operating the McVickers and La Salle theaters in the loop and a movie house in Homewood. His two sons, Aaron, Jr. and John J., were associated with him in business.
When 17, Mr. Jones served as a catalog salesman at the Columbian Exposition in 1893. He pioneered in Chicago show business with a penny arcade in 1902. Three years later he hired an electrician, bought a phonograph, and opened the first motion picture theater in Chicago in the Palmer House block on State st. near Adams st.
Theater Had 300 Seats.
It seated 300 persons and the admittance was a nickel. "The Great Train Robbery" was one of the early pictures. The same year Jones and Joseph Byfield opened the White City amusement park.
Mr. Jones expanded his operations until he had 36 theaters, legitimate and motion picture, under his control.
Services Set for Tomorrow.
He was a member of the Illinois Athletic club, president of the Idlewild Country club, a member of the Fort Dearborn chapter of the Masonic order, and a former director of the Associated Jewish Charities, Chicago.
Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. tomorrow in the chapel at 936 E. 47th st. Burial will be in Free Sons' cemetery, Forest Park. In addition to his sons, his survivors are his widow, Ella, and three grandchildren.
OWNER OF FIRST CHICAGO MOVIE THEATER IS DEAD
Aaron J. Jones Sr. Once Ran 36 Houses.
Aaron J. Jones Sr., 68, owner and operator of Chicago's first motion picture theater in 1905, died early yesterday in his home at Flossmoor. He was a member of the firm of Jones, Linick, and Schaefer, theater firm operating the McVickers and La Salle theaters in the loop and a movie house in Homewood. His two sons, Aaron, Jr. and John J., were associated with him in business.
When 17, Mr. Jones served as a catalog salesman at the Columbian Exposition in 1893. He pioneered in Chicago show business with a penny arcade in 1902. Three years later he hired an electrician, bought a phonograph, and opened the first motion picture theater in Chicago in the Palmer House block on State st. near Adams st.
Theater Had 300 Seats.
It seated 300 persons and the admittance was a nickel. "The Great Train Robbery" was one of the early pictures. The same year Jones and Joseph Byfield opened the White City amusement park.
Mr. Jones expanded his operations until he had 36 theaters, legitimate and motion picture, under his control.
Services Set for Tomorrow.
He was a member of the Illinois Athletic club, president of the Idlewild Country club, a member of the Fort Dearborn chapter of the Masonic order, and a former director of the Associated Jewish Charities, Chicago.
Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. tomorrow in the chapel at 936 E. 47th st. Burial will be in Free Sons' cemetery, Forest Park. In addition to his sons, his survivors are his widow, Ella, and three grandchildren.
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