Oldham Theatre, Sparta Tennessee

This theatre began in 1926 and has been in this location since 1935. In 1931 the owners, James and Tillie Cardwell, used a record player to add sound which was timed to scenes in the films shown in their theatre. They continued this practice until 1939. By this time, most films were made with sound. Today, the Oldham Theater doesn't smell like popcorn anymore, and the rows of velvet seats have been cleared out to make room for community gatherings, private rentals, and regular doses of live Americana and bluegrass music, but you can still see the neon lit at night on Liberty Square in Sparta, TN