Person Record
Images
Metadata
Name |
Desguin Sr., Louis Victor |
Born |
1898 |
Deceased |
1976 |
Birthplace |
Cleveland, New York |
Biographical Summary |
Louis Victor Desguin, was born during the summer of 1898 in Cleveland, New York on the north shore of Oneida Lake. During World War I, he went to work in a munitions factory where he met a young lady from nearby Taberg, Gertrude Mullen. They married in 1918 and by 1926, when their son Louis Victor, Jr. (Vic) was born, the family lived in Oneida, New York where Louis worked as a silverware die cutter for the Oneida Community. When the Great Depression hit, Louis lost his job and for the next several years made a living at different occupations, including a theatre manager in Canastota. Meanwhile, his brother-in-law Fred had established a chain of theatres in south central Florida from Mulberry to Sebring. Louis enjoyed his time in the theatre business so one day mentioned to Fred he’d be interested in a theatre his family could operate. In August 1936, Fred phoned and said he’d found one in Punta Gorda, Florida. Louis’ response, "Where in the h… is Punta Gorda, Florida?" Regardless Louis loaded up the family and with Vic’s cousin Freddie in tow, headed to Florida. Arriving in Punta Gorda on September 9, 1936, Louis and Gertie began running The New Theatre, in the 200 block of West Marion Avenue where the Ace Hardware parking lot is today. It operated until the early 1960’s, with Gertie running the box office and the boys selling popcorn in the early days. After living in several rentals, they settled in a home at the southwest corner of West Olympia and Sullivan Street, now a vacant lot. One of the things best remembered about the Desguins is how they brought moving pictures to Punta Gorda’s African-American community. One can say Louis was just an entrepreneur, but it had never been done before, and in a highly segregated time, when public buildings had separate drinking fountains, waiting rooms, and restrooms, noted "white" and "colored", it could have been risky. Nonetheless, Louis rented a large wood frame building at the southwest corner of Milus Street and East Charlotte Avenue, installed wooden bleacher seats, and purchased a 35mm projector. The cartoon and movie would start about 30 minutes after the feature began on Marion Avenue with sons, Vic and Freddie, shuttling reels and popcorn on their bikes. During their years in Punta Gorda, Louis also served as president of the Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the city council during the early 1940’s, and served as mayor in 1944. Gertie, in addition to being "the movie lady," was heavily active in the community as well. She was the go-to seamstress creating gowns and other dresses for young girls of the time, and as a member of the Woman’s Club, making bandages for the American Cancer Society. She tutored local children at no charge and during World War II entertained airmen from the base in Punta Gorda in her home. Louis and Gertie had one son. They have six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Louis passed away in 1976, Gertrude, one year later in 1977. (Excerpted from an article by Frank Desguin, with added information from the "Ladies of Punta Gorda" by Libby McDonald Schaefer) |
Occupation |
Die cutter Movie house owner |
Places of residence |
Oneida, New York Punta Gorda, Florida |
Spouse |
Gertie |
Children |
Louis Victor Jr. |
Caption |
Victor and Gertie Desguin |
