“It sounds to me like if the back wall hadn’t been compromised, the preservation might have succeeded- is that right?” I agree with this Brian Wolf post of Nov. 2004. What is the answer to this question that is being asked again in 2005?
DeniedX: Unfortunately, this is the way of many small towns….the downtown areas are dying due to the advent of malls, etc. You have your memories and cherish them always, as do I, since my hometown theatre is gone, too. A nice park is on the site, but it will never replace the theatre and the memories I hold in my mind and heart.
Interesting! As I see it, neglect brought about “too much structural deterioration throughout”. This theatre in this community should have been completely saved and restored for future generations in loving memory to a great theatre architect, John Eberson!
DeniedX: Thanks for the photos. If this theatre wasn’t a wonderful example of art deco at its finest I don’t know what it would have been. It is a shame that this theatre was left to deteriorate as the photos show. Every detail of this theatre screamed ART DECO!
Interesting to read about this atmospheric theatre being built by architects/brothers, Robert and Carl Boller. I wonder how their atmospheric design compares to Eberson’s atmospheric ‘touch’. Also, is anyone aware of the famous Eberson fist that he included in his theatres? I recently toured the Palace Theatre in Canton Ohio and our tour guid, Rob Sees, showed me that theatre’s famous fist high above the auditorium! I wish I could include a photo with this post as it was a sight to behold.
http://www.pbase.com/kjosker/theaters If you go to this Theatres of Buffalo photo gallery site, you will see many of Karl Josker’s theatre photos. I didn’t see a photo of The Gold Theatre on this site nor have I heard anyone speak of this theatre, but it will show you many of Buffalo’s former theatres. Karl’s email is .com
SNWEB: Thanks for the above photos especially the interior ones. It’s a shame that this “most unique” theatre was demolished in the late 90’s for a social security office! Does anyone know why it met the wrecking ball? Being that it was the only Detroit area theatre built by Eberson really makes it even harder to realize that it is now gone forever!
Ben: I just read your July 2001 post about being the current owner so would like to know how the cafe venue at the Castle is working out. I will say that I’m a purist, at heart, and enjoy seeing the theatres brought back to originality if at all possible.
TC: These restoration photos are very interesting. We have Bloomington Illinois friends so will have to ask them their Castle memories! Would love to see some current interior photos. Was the theatre returned to originality or a cafe/theatre venue?
SNWEB: The Library of Congress link on your Jan 8, 2005 post doesn’t seem to work and I’d love to see it along with some interior photos since I am an Eberson fan!
ChicagoDan: Great review of a great theatre with lots of history and, of course, the Ringling name! And the fact that it is associated with the names Rapp and Rapp doesn’t hurt either!
“It sounds to me like if the back wall hadn’t been compromised, the preservation might have succeeded- is that right?” I agree with this Brian Wolf post of Nov. 2004. What is the answer to this question that is being asked again in 2005?
DeniedX: Unfortunately, this is the way of many small towns….the downtown areas are dying due to the advent of malls, etc. You have your memories and cherish them always, as do I, since my hometown theatre is gone, too. A nice park is on the site, but it will never replace the theatre and the memories I hold in my mind and heart.
Interesting! As I see it, neglect brought about “too much structural deterioration throughout”. This theatre in this community should have been completely saved and restored for future generations in loving memory to a great theatre architect, John Eberson!
Also screams ART MODERNE! It really seems strange to me that a decision would be made to save the facade yet destroy the rest!?!
DeniedX: Thanks for the photos. If this theatre wasn’t a wonderful example of art deco at its finest I don’t know what it would have been. It is a shame that this theatre was left to deteriorate as the photos show. Every detail of this theatre screamed ART DECO!
Photos anyone?
Interesting to read about this atmospheric theatre being built by architects/brothers, Robert and Carl Boller. I wonder how their atmospheric design compares to Eberson’s atmospheric ‘touch’. Also, is anyone aware of the famous Eberson fist that he included in his theatres? I recently toured the Palace Theatre in Canton Ohio and our tour guid, Rob Sees, showed me that theatre’s famous fist high above the auditorium! I wish I could include a photo with this post as it was a sight to behold.
Any photos anyone?
Does anyone know the current status/photos of this theatre and surrounding area as I’ll be in the Hartford area next weekend? Thanks.
There are 2 Gold Theatres listed on CT, but they were in Chicago, Illinois and in Brooklyn, NY…both closed and demolished.
http://www.pbase.com/kjosker/theaters If you go to this Theatres of Buffalo photo gallery site, you will see many of Karl Josker’s theatre photos. I didn’t see a photo of The Gold Theatre on this site nor have I heard anyone speak of this theatre, but it will show you many of Buffalo’s former theatres. Karl’s email is .com
SNWEB: Thanks for the above photos especially the interior ones. It’s a shame that this “most unique” theatre was demolished in the late 90’s for a social security office! Does anyone know why it met the wrecking ball? Being that it was the only Detroit area theatre built by Eberson really makes it even harder to realize that it is now gone forever!
Would love to see photos of this theatre! If it was atmospheric, might the architect be John Eberson?
Is the Proctor Theatre listed on CT?
It’s the first time I’ve seen a flat marquee!
Mansfield Ohio and Butler PA have something in common…they both demolished an Eberson art deco theatre!
lostmemory: Nice slide show of a VERY nice theatre that was SAVED!
Ben: I just read your July 2001 post about being the current owner so would like to know how the cafe venue at the Castle is working out. I will say that I’m a purist, at heart, and enjoy seeing the theatres brought back to originality if at all possible.
TC: These restoration photos are very interesting. We have Bloomington Illinois friends so will have to ask them their Castle memories! Would love to see some current interior photos. Was the theatre returned to originality or a cafe/theatre venue?
SNWEB: The Library of Congress link on your Jan 8, 2005 post doesn’t seem to work and I’d love to see it along with some interior photos since I am an Eberson fan!
Another demolished Eberson/atmospheric….shame shame!
Chuck: I just tried viewing the above photobucket photo again and this time it didn’t come up…been having difficulty with that site for some time now.
Looks fine to me, but then again suppose the color photo was taken pre-Katrina!
Just revisited the official website for this theatre and was WOW-ed again!
ChicagoDan: Great review of a great theatre with lots of history and, of course, the Ringling name! And the fact that it is associated with the names Rapp and Rapp doesn’t hurt either!