“….the theater’s facade was saved and became the entrance to the condo buildingâ€"retaining its Deco past.” This saving of a theatre facade was interesting to read.
My neighbors have their parents visitng from Richmond VA this weekend so needless to say I have informed them of their 2 special theatres..this one and the Carpenter PAC both built in 1928! It is really quite something to have 2 beautiful theatres in a city the size of Richmond.
Tone: I hope that you get many responses to your inquiry. I didn’t grow up in the Chicago area so can’t help you with any personal memories of the Chicago, but good luck with your worthwhile project. I know that the Fox in Atlanta GA just celebrated its 75th anniversary and have asked residents of Atlanta to share their Fox memories on the Fox website.
The curved window on the front facade of the Chicago is absolutely beautiful and makes me think of the recent curved window that was destroyed in Mishawaka Indiana at the former Tivoli! :–(
Bryan: Thanks for the additional clock info and to read that there are two of those unique looking clocks on that building is really something! My hometown had a clock on its telephone building that I’m trying to have replaced, but it may never happen as the clock is in pieces and it may involve more ‘red tape’ than I’m willing to encounter!?! And the slogan “Let’s meet under the clock” reminds me of an old clock in Erie PA that is the lobby of the former Boston Store on State Street as the slogan there among customers was “Meet me at the clock”. BTW, Erie has the restored Warner Theatre in State Street.
Brian: Your posted site with the Oct 1944 photo was most interesting as I noticed the very unique clock on the side of one of the buildings. Never have seen one quite like that one…wonder if it is still there?
“…..its own Wurlitzer (which is still in use and plays every Saturday night).” What a wonderful thing to read about this theatre and what it offers the residents of Richmond.
Martha: Interesting that you note about a bowling alley in the basement as my hometown theatre was to have had a bowling alley, but that may have only been a rumor in regards to my theatre.
The City of Richmond is so very lucky to have 2 beautiful theatres and one of them is an atmospheric that is being restored! Consider yourself lucky, Richmond!
“Towns get an agenda and that is it… it gets pushed through – right or wrong.” I believe this is exactly what happened to my hometown theatre and so now it’s just a faded ‘picture’ memory! So many times politics are involved and nobody is thinking clearly because they have ‘an agenda’ and it gets ram-rodded through!
Steve: “….those of us who were willing to help may have moved on to some other community that was a little more willing to include outsiders.” Well spoken so maybe this will make St. Charles sit up and pay attention to us outsiders! I probably wouldn’t have a personal connection to this story if it weren’t for the fact that my husband is involved each and every June at Pheasant Run organizing the huge Corvette show there and we’re not even residents!!
Robert Mascaro was employed as the manager of the former Grand Theatre of Westfield for more than 30 years! He died on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005 at The Waters of Westfield from Alzheimer’s disease. As a young teenager I remember Mr. Mascaro and how nice he kept our hometown theatre. Rest in peace.
TC: Thanks so now the entire Rothacker gallery is included on CT. I sent him an email so hope to hear back from him as I read that he was born in Olean NY which is in the neighboring county to where I grew up in western NYS (Grand Theatre-Westfield NY).
“….the theater’s facade was saved and became the entrance to the condo buildingâ€"retaining its Deco past.” This saving of a theatre facade was interesting to read.
Sam_e: Thanks for sending me that lovely email and informing me of this former Chicago theatre. Great reading!
My neighbors have their parents visitng from Richmond VA this weekend so needless to say I have informed them of their 2 special theatres..this one and the Carpenter PAC both built in 1928! It is really quite something to have 2 beautiful theatres in a city the size of Richmond.
Would love to see some interior photos as I found only one on a news site.
Did the Tivoli still have seats when it was demolished?
Tone: I hope that you get many responses to your inquiry. I didn’t grow up in the Chicago area so can’t help you with any personal memories of the Chicago, but good luck with your worthwhile project. I know that the Fox in Atlanta GA just celebrated its 75th anniversary and have asked residents of Atlanta to share their Fox memories on the Fox website.
The curved window on the front facade of the Chicago is absolutely beautiful and makes me think of the recent curved window that was destroyed in Mishawaka Indiana at the former Tivoli! :–(
Easton’s is in Canada so are you north of the border?
“The theater was designated an Historic Landmark by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission on May 19, 2003.” Glad to read this.
Bryan: Thanks for the additional clock info and to read that there are two of those unique looking clocks on that building is really something! My hometown had a clock on its telephone building that I’m trying to have replaced, but it may never happen as the clock is in pieces and it may involve more ‘red tape’ than I’m willing to encounter!?! And the slogan “Let’s meet under the clock” reminds me of an old clock in Erie PA that is the lobby of the former Boston Store on State Street as the slogan there among customers was “Meet me at the clock”. BTW, Erie has the restored Warner Theatre in State Street.
Jim: Fine cinema treasures!
Brian: Your posted site with the Oct 1944 photo was most interesting as I noticed the very unique clock on the side of one of the buildings. Never have seen one quite like that one…wonder if it is still there?
Bryan: When I clicked on the word HERE I found that wonderful night view of the Chicago with its wonderful curved front window! Thanks.
“…..its own Wurlitzer (which is still in use and plays every Saturday night).” What a wonderful thing to read about this theatre and what it offers the residents of Richmond.
Martha: Interesting that you note about a bowling alley in the basement as my hometown theatre was to have had a bowling alley, but that may have only been a rumor in regards to my theatre.
The City of Richmond is so very lucky to have 2 beautiful theatres and one of them is an atmospheric that is being restored! Consider yourself lucky, Richmond!
“Towns get an agenda and that is it… it gets pushed through – right or wrong.” I believe this is exactly what happened to my hometown theatre and so now it’s just a faded ‘picture’ memory! So many times politics are involved and nobody is thinking clearly because they have ‘an agenda’ and it gets ram-rodded through!
You can buy a print of the theatre at this link:
http://www.georgerothacker.com/ga1.detail.5.html
And THIS was demolished? I just hate that word!
Now it’s back to the regular format so don’t know what happened, but didn’t like it so all is okay again! Thank goodness!
After posting just now I see the new format and am not quite sure if I like it. What do others think as I’d be curious to know?
Steve: “….those of us who were willing to help may have moved on to some other community that was a little more willing to include outsiders.” Well spoken so maybe this will make St. Charles sit up and pay attention to us outsiders! I probably wouldn’t have a personal connection to this story if it weren’t for the fact that my husband is involved each and every June at Pheasant Run organizing the huge Corvette show there and we’re not even residents!!
Robert Mascaro was employed as the manager of the former Grand Theatre of Westfield for more than 30 years! He died on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005 at The Waters of Westfield from Alzheimer’s disease. As a young teenager I remember Mr. Mascaro and how nice he kept our hometown theatre. Rest in peace.
TC: I went to the Alvin link/page and wanted to suggest to you that you include the Rothacker link as you did with the others. Thanks TC.
TC: Thanks so now the entire Rothacker gallery is included on CT. I sent him an email so hope to hear back from him as I read that he was born in Olean NY which is in the neighboring county to where I grew up in western NYS (Grand Theatre-Westfield NY).