Thanks for the great info, Joe! I just got through looking at the 1913 Toledo City Directory and added like 40 theatres from that era to the listings at CinemaTour. Using Google streetview it surprises me that quite a few old theatre from over 100 years ago still exist!
In 1913 the Valentine is listed at 409 Saint Clair St. while the Victory Theatre is listed at 414 Adams St. A couple years 414 Adams is listed as the Metro Theatre with 197 seats. What gives? Was there a small storefront theatre in the building? Was there a small building next door?
How could she possibly unaware that this was an XXX theatre? The movie listings are in the daily newspaper, there are posters all over the lobby showing what is playing, signs about no minors allowed, and it has been showing adult movies for roughly fifty years. There is practically no way NOT to know what this theatre is.
Is the Deuces Two Bar really the former theatre? Doe anyone know for sure? The address of the bar is 1814 Parsons Ave. I know numbering changes sometimes, but it seems that 1822 would be the big empty lot next to the bar. There’s no way that bar building was a theatre that sat 600 people. Maybe the theatre stood next door and has since been knocked down?
Nope. Further research shows that the current Palmer Opera House was not the Peerless Theatre. The Peerless was opened by Wesley Gross on August 21, 1914 on Main Street, next to his meat business.
I notice the above ad says “Opera House” in the bottom corner. Could the Peerless / Cuba Theatre have been the same as the Palmer Opera House in Cuba on West Main Street which is currently undergoing renovation?
The Adelphi Theatre opened on July 7, 1913 on the corner of Elm Street and Church Street. It is unclear from internet map views if the building that is currently on the northeast corner of that intersection is the former theatre.
The Gem Theatre, which was also on Elm Street, had opened in 1907. Both theaters came under the same management in 1914.
The 1918 New England Business Directory lists a Greenwood Garden Theatre showing motion pictures on Peaks Island. Could this have been the same theatre?
Not sure I’d consider this a movie theatre. Hundreds, if not thousands, of libraries across the country periodically show older movies for free or a small admission charge. To me that doesn’t qualify it as a movie theatre.
From Bing and Google views this theatre appears to still be there in massive disrepair. The ceiling appears to be full of holes and half of the front facade has disappeared between the time of the Bing birds eye view and the Google street view.
closed 2011
1329 Broad St in 1915 city directory.
1409 Broad St in 1915 city directory. Now demolished.
Here are the ones I have listed on Summit. Oddly enough, I have not found one called the Gayety there, but you say there was.
Toledo, OH Alhambra Theatre 237-9 N Summit St
Toledo, OH Colonial Theatre 443-5 N Summit St
Toledo, OH Crown Theatre 422 N Summit St (aka Regent)
Toledo, OH Empress Theatre 406 N Summit St
Toledo, OH Hart Theatre 605 N Summit St
Toledo, OH Priscilla Theatre 330 N Summit St
Toledo, OH Royal Theatre 425 N Summit St
Toledo, OH Star Theatre 106 N Summit St
517-519 Delaware St.
Thanks for the great info, Joe! I just got through looking at the 1913 Toledo City Directory and added like 40 theatres from that era to the listings at CinemaTour. Using Google streetview it surprises me that quite a few old theatre from over 100 years ago still exist!
No, there isn’t security. It is a small theatre run only by the owner. People go to this type of business precisely to have encounters with strangers.
In 1913 the Valentine is listed at 409 Saint Clair St. while the Victory Theatre is listed at 414 Adams St. A couple years 414 Adams is listed as the Metro Theatre with 197 seats. What gives? Was there a small storefront theatre in the building? Was there a small building next door?
1916 cannot be the correct opening year as the Princess is listed in the 1913 Toledo City Directory at this address.
Closed December 31, 1990.
That postcard may have the wrong address. The 1913 Toledo City Directory lists the Diamond at 1520 Broadway St. Either way, it is demolished.
How could she possibly unaware that this was an XXX theatre? The movie listings are in the daily newspaper, there are posters all over the lobby showing what is playing, signs about no minors allowed, and it has been showing adult movies for roughly fifty years. There is practically no way NOT to know what this theatre is.
Not sure why this is listed as demolished as it still seems to be there in all views.
Is the Deuces Two Bar really the former theatre? Doe anyone know for sure? The address of the bar is 1814 Parsons Ave. I know numbering changes sometimes, but it seems that 1822 would be the big empty lot next to the bar. There’s no way that bar building was a theatre that sat 600 people. Maybe the theatre stood next door and has since been knocked down?
TivFan: The Colonial was previously known as the Fairyland and subsequently as the Rialto, the name under which it is listed here on CT.
Also known as the Lindy at one point
Nope. Further research shows that the current Palmer Opera House was not the Peerless Theatre. The Peerless was opened by Wesley Gross on August 21, 1914 on Main Street, next to his meat business.
I notice the above ad says “Opera House” in the bottom corner. Could the Peerless / Cuba Theatre have been the same as the Palmer Opera House in Cuba on West Main Street which is currently undergoing renovation?
http://www.cubafriends.us/Palmer%20Opera%20House%20Project.htm
The Adelphi Theatre opened on July 7, 1913 on the corner of Elm Street and Church Street. It is unclear from internet map views if the building that is currently on the northeast corner of that intersection is the former theatre.
The Gem Theatre, which was also on Elm Street, had opened in 1907. Both theaters came under the same management in 1914.
Address is 404 South Main Street.
In 1918 the Colonial is listed at 20 W Elm Street which is around the corner. It may have had a previous entrance.
The 1918 New England Business Directory lists a Greenwood Garden Theatre showing motion pictures on Peaks Island. Could this have been the same theatre?
The nightclub is closed and the building is currently vacant.
Not sure I’d consider this a movie theatre. Hundreds, if not thousands, of libraries across the country periodically show older movies for free or a small admission charge. To me that doesn’t qualify it as a movie theatre.
From Bing and Google views this theatre appears to still be there in massive disrepair. The ceiling appears to be full of holes and half of the front facade has disappeared between the time of the Bing birds eye view and the Google street view.