Capitol Theatre and Victory Loan drive

Creator

Manitowoc (Wis.). Police Department

Date

• December 1945

Summary

• This December, 1945 view of the east side of South Eighth Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin shows a line of automobiles driving north past other cars parked along the sidewalk where several pedestrians are walking. In the lower left, a man sweeps the sidewalk. In the upper right, a uniformed police officer stands in the intersection of South Eighth and Jay Streets. In the center of the picture is the Capitol Theatre at 913 South Eighth Street, with its ornate marquee announcing the movie “Our Vines Have Tender Grapes,” which played at the Capitol December 2 through December 8, 1945. Hanging from the front of the marquee is a small banner on which can be seen the words “Victory Bond.” This was probably advertising for the “Victory Loan Drive,” which was a national war bond campaign then in its final week. Even though World War II had ended in August, 1945, this drive was promoted with slogans like “The job of winning the war is over—the peace must be won by those of us at home.” Manitowoc County’s “quota” for the Victory Loan Drive was $2,081,000. As with most previous war loan drives, the county actually exceeded that goal. The campaign culminated on Wednesday night, December 12 with a city-wide “Victory Ball” at the fairgrounds, featuring music, dancing, and a drawing for a brand new 1946 Ford. Other businesses visible in this view include, from left to right, the F.W. Woolworth Store at 905-907 South Eighth, Field’s Smart Wear, McNeil Shoes, and beyond the Capitol Theatre Walter Kurtz jewelry in the “Bigel Building” and Buerstattte Drugs at 919 South Eighth. Beyond Jay Street are Berks Apparel Shop, Charles Groffman Drugs, the Odd Fellow Building at 927 South Eighth, and Zimmerman’s Ready to Wear at 931 South Eighth. Parked in front of the Capitol Theatre is a Fischl’s Dairy delivery truck.