Marcus, Louis, 1880-1936
Dates
- Existence: 1880 - 1936
Biographical History
Louis Marcus (1880-1936) was a Salt Lake City mayor and businessman in the motion picture industry.
Louis Marcus was born on January 9, 1880 in Brooklyn, New York to Eleazor Albert and Diana Gumpel Marcus. He moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1907, where he married Gertrude Levin on January 16, 1912. Together they had one child, Louis Howard Marcus in 1919.
In Salt Lake City, Marcus became involveed in the motion picture business as an operator, exchange manager, and owner of film exchange and theatres. He established a theatre chain in Utah, as well as other mountain states. The companies he was involved in include Louis Marcus Enterprises, Publix-Marcus, Inc., Gem State Theatres, Victory Amusement Company, Notable Feature Films Company and others. In 1927 he purchased the Orpheum Theatre, to which he increased the seating capacity, added a Wurlitzer organ, changed its name to Capitol Theatre Building, and in 1929 showed the first talking picture in Salt Lake City.
Marcus's business ventures extended into real estate and was the president of the United Realty Co., and served as the director of Tracy Loan & Trust Co., as well as Walker Bank & Trust Co. He was also very active in his community and civic service. He was a member of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, was a York and Scottish Rite Mason, and member of the B'nai B'rith.
In 1931 he ran for and was elected as mayor of Salt Lake City, and served from 1932-1935. He was the first Jew to be elected to this position. Louis was also a member of several clubs, including Alta, Rotary, Ft. Douglas, and the country clubs in both Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah.
Marcus died on July 27, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Citation:
UPB files, July 3, 2013 (born January 9, 1880 in Brooklyn, New York; father Eleazor Albert Marcus; mother Diana Gumpel Marcuas; moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1907; married Gertrude Levin on January 16, 1912; one child, Louis Howard Marcus born in 1919; involved in the motion picture business; motion picture operator, exchange manager, and owner of film exchange and theaters; established a theatre chain in Utah and other mountain states; Louis Marcus Enterprises; Publix-Marcus, Inc.; Gem State Theatres; Victory Amusement Company; Notable Feature Films Company; purchased Orpheum Theatre in 1927 and increased seating capacity; added a Wurlitzer organ to theatre; changed theatre name to Capitol Theatre Building; showed first talking picture in Salt Lake City in 1929; extended ventures into real estate; president of United Realty Co.; director of Tracy Loan and Trust Co.; director of Walker Bank and Trust Co.; active in community and civic service; member of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce; York and Scottish Rite Mason; member of B'nai B'rith; ran for and was elected Salt Lake City mayor in 1931 and served from 1932-1935; first Jew to be elected mayor; member of several clubs such as Alta, Rotary, Ft. Douglas, and Salt Lake City and Ogden Country clubs; died July 27, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah)Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:
Collected materials, 1912-1984
Materials include newspaper clippings, theatre programs, and pamphlets collected by various family members. Newspaper clippings include news about the family weddings, and articles on Louis, Gertrude, and L. Howard Marcus. Contains materials in Danish. Dated 1912-1984.
L. Howard Marcus letters, approximately 1930-1959
Personal letters kept by L. Howard Marcus, including letters written to his mother. Contains material in French. Dated approximately 1930-1959.
Marcus family photographs, approximately 1908-1955
Marcus family scrapbooks, approximately 1905-1948
Materials include scrapbooks, photographs, newspaper clippings, and photo albums. Most of the photographs are portraits of Gertrude L. Marcus, L. Howard Marcus, and Wilma Marcus. Dated approximately 1905-1948.
Negatives of the Marcus family photographs, approximately 1885-1935
These are the negatives that correspond with the photographs taken by the Marcus family.
Newspaper clippings, 1912-1984
Materials include newspaper clippings, including news about the family weddings, and articles on Louis, Gertrude, and L. Howard Marcus. Contains materials in Danish. Dated 1912-1984.
Photographs and paintings, approximately 1848-1984
Portraits and photographs of the Marcus family and others, approximately 1848-1982
Contains the portraits done either at a studio or by a professional photographer of the Marcus and Levin families. Also group photographs taken of Louis Marcus' political and business activities. Included in these are photographs with Amelia Earhart, Harold B. Lee, several Hollywood actors and actresses, and other prominent people of the day. Dated approximately 1848-1982.
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- Aeronautics -- Utah -- History 7
- Jews -- Utah -- History 7
- Mayors -- Utah 7
- Salt Lake City (Utah) -- History -- 20th century 7
- Salt Lake City (Utah) -- Politics and government -- 20th century 7
- Women -- Utah -- Salt Lake City -- Societies and clubs -- History 7
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Jews -- Utah 7
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Utah 7
- Photographs 4
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) 3
- Family records 2
- Paintings 2
- Correspondence 1
- Letters 1
- Negatives 1
- Opera 1
- Pamphlets 1
- Programs 1
- Scrapbooks 1
- Scrapbooks -- United States 1
- Souvenirs (Keepsakes) 1
- Sports 1
- Theater 1
- Theater programs -- History -- Sources 1
- Travelers -- Photographs 1 + ∧ less