Silent films show Sullivan in late 1930s

An old photograph of the Sullivan County Public Library

If  you enjoyed the movie, “The Artist,” then you’ll love these two silent films taken in 1938 and 1939 in Sullivan, Indiana. The scenes in one film include cars, horses and buggies, people, children, school children, a Coca-Cola delivery truck, horse and laundry buggy, gas stations, service stations, dogs, medical care, coal miners, a baseball game, milkmen, tractors, cows, and a sign for the Davis Hotel. And just like today, the children push and shove one another to get in front of the camera and a few even stick out their tongues!

The scenes in the second film include a football game, W.V. Jennings Lumber Co., cars, the Sullivan Flying Club, a Gulf service station, people leaving a dry goods store, people leaving a church service, and aerial views of a baseball field and game, the town of Sullivan, and the Sullivan Courthouse. Take a gander at the football game. Those were tough dudes playing without helmets or much padding!

The films are part of the Sullivan County Public Library collection. The library is located at 100 S. Crowder Street in Sullivan. Enjoy these awesome moving images!