Blue Mouse Theatre

The Blue Mouse Theatre, operated by George Martin from 1914 to 1928. Courtesy of Reginald F. Martin, Sr.

He also owned George Martin's Cleaning Company at 1343 Wisconsin Ave, courtesy. Across M Street bridge at 1206 26th Street stood the Blue Mouse Theatre, a black theatre that featured movies and vaudeville and was a popular center for the community entertainment. George Martin, who had run successful businesses in Georgetown since the early 1900s, operated the theatre from 1914 to 1928. Ignatius Marshall remembers that he frequently went to movies at the Blue Mouse Theatre: "I used to go every Saturday afternoon to matinees. I think at that time it cost you a nickel or a dime, and we'd stay five or six hours, to see replays." In recalling the Blue Mouse Theatre of his father's era, Reginald Martin, Sr. commented on the strong commitment that businessmen then had for their communities: "People were closer in those days. It isn't that way anymore. It's all gone." Later named the Mott Theatre, it was operated by the manager of the Republic and Lincoln theatres on U Street, N.W. until its closing around 1949.