I would love to know more about this theatre. It’s listed as closed, but sometimes that information is incorrect and the theatre is actually demolished…hope that is not the case as Oxford is the home of Miami University of Ohio and every small college town should have a downtown theatre, imo.
Glad to have found this theatre as I was just talking to a N. Olmsted resident and he did not recall this theatre so will tell him it is a bank location now.
Chuck: Your link posted on July 31 doesn’t seem to work and I’d love to see this theatre as I’m researching ones with the Roy Benjamin architectural connection. The photos I have viewed seem to show a repeated theme/style. And after reading the above post I hope that the efforts to return the organ to the Imperial are successful!
After clicking on the name, Roy Benjamin I see that 19 theatres in GA, FL and one in MS were connected with him and many are being restored and remaining as theatres.
Two years ago I was on Lucerne Avenue during a visit to FL, but I wasn’t able to stop and step inside the former Lake Theatre to look around. Another nearby former theatre site was the Paramount in Palm Beach which is now a church. Sections of the original lobby’s green wood ceiling can be seen towards the back near the church area. Also original floor to ceiling green and white columns with the famous happy/sad faces are still there. Many wonderful b/w photos of the theatre in its heyday and photos of the many celebrity artists who appeared at the Paramount are on the walls at you enter the front door. So the Paramount Theatre history has been preserved in this way for visitors. I have digital photos of my visit if you wish to see them. My email is on my profile page.
Tom: Yes, the importance of this building escaping demolition and the fate of other downtown structures is the best news despite the changes over the years to the former theatre on Lucerne Avenue. I hope that a tenant(s) can be found to occupy this downtown site.
IMO, if you compare the theatre and its vintage postcard appearance to how it was changed I can’t imagine the planning board agreeing to that present day look.
TC: The photos posted on Sept. 9, 2005 that show the unrestored marquee are good, but I hope they have been restored by now as I plan to visit this theatre this spring and would like to see them in a restored condition!
Nice to read that the original cloud making machine is intact and there so hopefully it will be functional again as that is a MUST when having an atmospheric theatre!
Tom: Thanks for the info and link! The vintage postcard of the Lake was wonderful to see…only wish it still looked that way as downtown Lake Worth along Lucerne is a quaint community near the ocean and would benefit with an original theatre in its midst!
Bway: Thanks for your onsight report though sad to read that there is little left on the inside that ‘is theatre’. I would love to know the story on how Walgreens was able to acquire this property without the preservationists putting up a fight!
ken: This is a great night show and closeup as you can see a Walgreens customer exited the store with the shelves in the background. I don’t have any immediate plans to visit the Keys, but if I were to go I’d have to check out this former theatre and try not to voice my personal opinions. It’s a shame that Key West allowed this to happen to their unique pastel theatre! One thing for sure is that they would have had to level the slanted floor!
Lost Memory: Unfortunately, I do not but my email is on my profile page. I think you’ll enjoy seeing the b/w photos so send me an email with the subject line, Wintergarden.
ERD: Thanks for agreeing with me and hopefully in the near future we’ll see some interior photos. I know that CT member, Lost Memory has posted numerous theatre photos and maybe LM will be able to discover some photos!
The building in the photo to the far left used to be the Woolworth’s store, but it is now the home to the Desilu Playhouse and can be viewed on the above Lucy site.
Lost Memory: The photo when clicking on Related Websites is not current though it does show the theatre minus the marquee. I have 2 b/w 1955 photos of the Wintergarden if you wish to see them via an email.
Lost Memory: You are correct as the photo posted on March 19 is the Reg Lenna in Jamestown NY, hometown of the Lucille Ball Festival or Lucy Fest (www.lucy-desi.com)
I would love to know more about this theatre. It’s listed as closed, but sometimes that information is incorrect and the theatre is actually demolished…hope that is not the case as Oxford is the home of Miami University of Ohio and every small college town should have a downtown theatre, imo.
I have a friend who lives in Painesville so will ask him if he has any memories of this theatre that is now the site of a drug store!
Glad to have found this theatre as I was just talking to a N. Olmsted resident and he did not recall this theatre so will tell him it is a bank location now.
Photos anyone?
Photos anyone?
Chuck: Your link posted on July 31 doesn’t seem to work and I’d love to see this theatre as I’m researching ones with the Roy Benjamin architectural connection. The photos I have viewed seem to show a repeated theme/style. And after reading the above post I hope that the efforts to return the organ to the Imperial are successful!
After clicking on the name, Roy Benjamin I see that 19 theatres in GA, FL and one in MS were connected with him and many are being restored and remaining as theatres.
Two years ago I was on Lucerne Avenue during a visit to FL, but I wasn’t able to stop and step inside the former Lake Theatre to look around. Another nearby former theatre site was the Paramount in Palm Beach which is now a church. Sections of the original lobby’s green wood ceiling can be seen towards the back near the church area. Also original floor to ceiling green and white columns with the famous happy/sad faces are still there. Many wonderful b/w photos of the theatre in its heyday and photos of the many celebrity artists who appeared at the Paramount are on the walls at you enter the front door. So the Paramount Theatre history has been preserved in this way for visitors. I have digital photos of my visit if you wish to see them. My email is on my profile page.
Tom: Yes, the importance of this building escaping demolition and the fate of other downtown structures is the best news despite the changes over the years to the former theatre on Lucerne Avenue. I hope that a tenant(s) can be found to occupy this downtown site.
The architect, Victor Rigaumont was involved with the Smith Opera House in Geneva NY and the State Theatre in Ithaca NY.
IMO, if you compare the theatre and its vintage postcard appearance to how it was changed I can’t imagine the planning board agreeing to that present day look.
TC: The photos posted on Sept. 9, 2005 that show the unrestored marquee are good, but I hope they have been restored by now as I plan to visit this theatre this spring and would like to see them in a restored condition!
Nice to read that the original cloud making machine is intact and there so hopefully it will be functional again as that is a MUST when having an atmospheric theatre!
Tom: Thanks for the info and link! The vintage postcard of the Lake was wonderful to see…only wish it still looked that way as downtown Lake Worth along Lucerne is a quaint community near the ocean and would benefit with an original theatre in its midst!
ken: Yes, better half than none and the exterior was beautifully restored so that’s a good thing.
Bway: Thanks for your onsight report though sad to read that there is little left on the inside that ‘is theatre’. I would love to know the story on how Walgreens was able to acquire this property without the preservationists putting up a fight!
ken: This is a great night show and closeup as you can see a Walgreens customer exited the store with the shelves in the background. I don’t have any immediate plans to visit the Keys, but if I were to go I’d have to check out this former theatre and try not to voice my personal opinions. It’s a shame that Key West allowed this to happen to their unique pastel theatre! One thing for sure is that they would have had to level the slanted floor!
LOL! BTW, thanks again for your photo contributions to CT as I have thoroughly enjoyed them all!
Lost Memory: Unfortunately, I do not but my email is on my profile page. I think you’ll enjoy seeing the b/w photos so send me an email with the subject line, Wintergarden.
ERD: Thanks for agreeing with me and hopefully in the near future we’ll see some interior photos. I know that CT member, Lost Memory has posted numerous theatre photos and maybe LM will be able to discover some photos!
The building in the photo to the far left used to be the Woolworth’s store, but it is now the home to the Desilu Playhouse and can be viewed on the above Lucy site.
Lost Memory: The photo when clicking on Related Websites is not current though it does show the theatre minus the marquee. I have 2 b/w 1955 photos of the Wintergarden if you wish to see them via an email.
Lost Memory: You are correct as the photo posted on March 19 is the Reg Lenna in Jamestown NY, hometown of the Lucille Ball Festival or Lucy Fest (www.lucy-desi.com)
Congratulations to the folks of Jackson MI for realizing the importance of preserving their hometown theatre, the MICHIGAN!
Congratulations to the folks of Jackson MI for realizing the importance of preserving their hometown theatre, the MICHIGAN!