Namesake’s portrait displayed
at Braden Theatre
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Not everyone knows the history behind the local movie theatre’s name and how it’s tied to the Northern Maine Fair and a famed horse who once raced there. Thanks to a recent donation by the Presque Isle Historical Society, visitors to the Braden Theatre will now be able to brush up on their knowledge or learn for the first time about Presque Isle’s John R Braden.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
HISTORIC TIME LINE — The Presque Isle Historical Society recently installed plaques featuring facts about the Braden Theatre and its namesake, John R Braden. Pictured in front of the display from left are: Chris Dow, theatre co-owner; and Caitlyn Esancy, employee.
“On the 80th anniversary of the death of Presque Isle’s beloved race horse, John R Braden, representatives of the Presque Isle Historical Society brought a little something extra to the Braden Theatre. Moviegoers from this point forward will now be able to read about the history of John R Braden any time they go to the theatre,” said Kim Smith, treasurer of the Historical Society and a frequent patron of the theatre.
Smith said she noticed the bare walls in the lobby on her way out of a movie recently and it struck her how that would be a perfect spot to tell the history of the horse, as well as that of the theatre. Owners Arlen and Chris Dow were contacted about the idea and agreed that it would be a nice addition.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
A PORTRAIT OF JOHN R BRADEN is now hung in the entrance of the Braden Theatre on Main Street in Presque Isle, thanks to the Presque Isle Historical Society. The theatre, named for the famed horse, is one of several locations historic data from the city’s past can now be viewed. Pictured in front of the portrait from left are: Braden employee Caitlyn Esancy and Chris Dow, co-owner.
“On Saturday, Nov. 20, volunteers from the Historical Society spent an hour at the theatre mounting 22 framed pages detailing the story of harness horse John R Braden. In addition, the Historical Society had previously presented Chris Dow with a brief framed history of the Braden Theatre itself,” said Smith.
Smith said the horse became famous shortly before the Great Depression.
“In the 1920s, harness racing was at its peak in New England and the Maritime provinces. Many local communities purchased their own horses. Presque Isle was no different. The Mooseleuk Club, a local businessmen’s club, purchased John R Braden in 1921. The horse raced for six seasons, earning $48,000 before he retired in 1926,” said Smith, noting the horse was so popular, poems and songs were written for him and banquets were given in his honor.
Photo courtesy of Kim Smith
HARNESS RACING at the Northern Maine Fair has been around for decades, with John R Braden being the one of the most memorable animals to grace the track. Pictured from left: An unidentified man, John R Braden and his driver/handler John Willard; with one of Braden’s competitors, Calgary Earl, and his unidentified handle, and an undientified man. In the background is the grandstand and judge’s tower — both of which burned down in the 1940s reportedly by kids playing with matches under the grandstand.
When the theatre on Main Street first opened in April of 1950, Smith said it was named after the much-loved harness racer.
“The Braden operated until June of 1994, when competition from the Aroostook Centre Cinemas caused it to close its doors. The theatre was re-opened by the Dows in March of 2008 — ironically using equipment such as seats and projection equipment from the now-defunct Aroostook Centre Cinemas,” said Smith.
When the Dows purchased the property and decided to open a theatre, a choice in names was easy. The men recognized the importance of maintaining strong ties to the community, agreeing to keep the horse’s name, just as the first theatre owners had done nearly 60 years before.
Chris Dow said it was a pleasure working with the Historic Society on such a memorable project.
“Volunteers came in during a recent matinee to put up the information and photos. We’ve had really good response since they were put up. People going into or leaving the theatres have stopped to read the plaques,” said Chris Dow.
Dow said the holiday season was a great time to install the plaques.
“People going to the movies or buying gift certificates for others to attend a movie, also get the added bonus of learning about the origin of the theatre’s name and the horse it’s named after,” said Dow. “When you visit the theatre, you get even more for your money. And with our matinees during the holiday break from school, area students will get a bit of a history lesson when they attend a movie.”
Smith said business was booming at the theatre as volunteers worked to hang each plaque.
“It was a busy day at the theatre with the latest installment from the ‘Harry Potter’ saga playing. Many patrons stopped to view the pages as they were being hung,” she said.
This is just one of many ways the Historical Society has been working to educate the public about the city’s history.
“This is an excellent example of how the Historical Society can partner with local businesses to make our (the city’s) history real for residents. I hope that this is the beginning of a wonderful trend,” said Smith.
For more information on the history of Presque Isle, e-mail pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com or call 762-1151.
