Essanay Movie Studios (site) (Fremont, California)

USA / California / Union City / Fremont, California
 place with historical importance, film/video production studio/facility, historical layer / disappeared object
In 1912 "Bronco Billy" Anderson established a west coast branch of Essanay (based in Chicago) in the village of Niles to make his western movies, after first giving Colorado, San Diego, and San Rafael a try.

Charlie Chaplin filmed "The Tramp" here in 1914, and a total of five of his films. Each week, at least two fifteen-minute "one-reelers" were produced in Niles - 105 "Snakeville" comedies and approximately 140 of the Broncho Billy films.

The Niles operation was abruptly shut down in February of 1916 when Anderson received a telegram from partner George K. Spoor to cease operations. The studio was torn down in 1933.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essanay
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Coordinates:   37°34'37"N   121°58'55"W
This article was last modified 8 years ago