In 1910, Charles McFarland lived in the house at 412 Hawthorne Street. At the time the house had the address of 231 Hawthorne Street. He lived in the house with his wife and two daughters. McFarland managed the Majestic and other theaters downtown. By 1920, the family had moved.
From a few mentions in the press at the time, McFarland was not one to shy away from presenting scandalous or controversial material in his theaters. In 1921 he vowed to keep showing Fatty Arbuckle pictures despite the scandal surrounding Arbuckle. In 1923, according to David Welling's "Cinema Houston", McFarland defied the Houston Board of Censors for condemning what they termed an "indecent kiss" in the film "Don't Call it Love." McFarland defended the scene as merely a "plain, whole-souled smack."
1896 White Hall Nationals (McFarland front right)
McFarland was a pitcher in his native White Hall Illinois and played profesionally for four years, mostly for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a starting pitcher for the Cardinals from 1902-1904. He compiled a lifetime 34-61 record and 3.35 ERA.
