Steve: Interesting to note that the Arcada Theatre is owned by someone in Seattle WA! Can’t believe that this Todd Smith has not responded, but hopefully he will as will Scott Price!
Steve: After reading about that theatre in Mishawaka, Indiana that made contact with that wrecking ball I’m more than hopeful that you can help with this theatre in St. Charles! That Illinois town has so much to offer and should continue to have a downtown theatre and that’s all I have to say about that, for now!
Steve: Sure sounds like you are working hard on your St. Charles theatre inquiry, but sorry to read that you aren’t getting any follow-up cooperation so will keep my fingers crossed in this worthwhile effort! At least you did have a positive theatre conversation with the Pres. of the St Charles Downtown Partnership which is a BIG step in the RIGHT direction. Keep pushing forward as all of us on CT are behind you to help with this ‘push’!
Ziggy: Just read your Buffalo comments. As everyone knows winters can be tough in Buffalo, but the other seasons are just fine and if one knows where to look one can find out of way great neighborhoods, historical buildings, wonderful restaurants and friendly folks along the shores of Lake Erie! I plan to check out the North Park Theatre and the Riviera this summer. I think Shea’s takes top honors for the City of Buffalo though.
Rob: Your Drive-In Nights video is beyond wonderful and the lyrics are RIGHT ON! And thanks so very much for including a copy of those RIGHT ON lyrics! You captured our drive-in memories in that song! Have a good Wyoming day!
Thanks Tom! Are these additional theatres that you have listed all gone now? The one called the Tennessee is also the name of the recently restored theatre in Knoxville TN and supposedly the Nashville Tennessee marquee is now at the Knoxville theatre since it was the same name!
Though I do recall the Roanoke star that was on the side of a nearby mountain that could be seen from near and far! The following website gives background information about this star: View link
I hope to see this theatre someday while traveling through VA as I am somewhat familiar with the area yet don’t recall the Grandin when I was there visiting a boyfriend who attended college with me in MI back in the 60’s.
I recently spoke to a long time former theatre/drive-in owner and he told me that one month’s heating bill was $1,700 back in the late 80’s! The theatre WAS in my hometown of Westfield NY (The Grand).
And with Nashville being “Music City USA” it’s really hard to believe that these entertainment theatres were all demolished! They even built a ‘new’ Grand Old Opry, didn’t they?
I wonder if the city officials will at least erect a plaque (with historic photo) for all to remember what once stood so proudly on that land in the City of Mishawaka? If the Friends of the Tivoli are still together, perhaps this can be accomplished!?! One can only hope!
Final Tivoli Thoughts: I’ve been a member of CT for several months now and have to say that the theatre news story concerning the Tivoli affected me emotionally more than I thought it would, but after reading the sad story and then to see the SBT photo of that window coming down so close to that wrecking ball it just blew me away and I thought about that sad and disturbing image for the rest of the day! I wonder if this has affected others as much as it has me over the past 24 hours? I realize there will probably continue to be more sad theatre stories as that, unfortunately, comes ‘with the territory’ when having historic theatres and their ultimate fate as a hobby but the final fate of the Tivoli was a difficult one for me to accept for many reasons!
Focus: What you have written and I have just read is something all of us should read concerning the Tivoli saga and preserving theatres, in general. Unfortunately, it was too little too late for the Tivoli. I only hope the signature wall was saved, but from the picture posted on the South Bend Tribune website the signature front window was not and this is a real crime as the ‘murder’ of the Tivoli was certainly that…. a crime! When I read “It was like she didn’t want to quit,”, bystander Bob Martin mused. “She gave that wrecking ball a hard time.” it truly brought me to tears and I don’t even have a long time connection to Mishawaka nor it’s Tivoli! May the older residents of Mishawaka who recall the Tivoli in it’s heyday keep their memories of the Tivoli in their hearts and minds forever.
You are a walking encyclopedia of theatre trivia, Bill so thanks for your CT contributions as I truly enjoy reading them! BTW, did read about the Gayety in Boston….another Mayor who doesn’t seem to have a theatre brain! LOL!
Gerald: I just found the http site that you have provided CT members. There is much to read, but do hope this theatre can be saved! Sounds like another ego-driven Mayor who wants to see progress for his city and not another theatre restoration. So very sad. I attended college in Boston and don’t recall the Gayety back in the 60’s, but then again my interest wasn’t old theatres at the time…it sure is now though! Fellow CT member, Bill of South Bend informed me of the Gayety Theatre story so I stopped by to learn and to leave my comment(s). Bill has posted about the Tivoli Theatre in Mishawaka Indiana whose Mayor felt that their theatre should be demolished! And to think that it was once on the National Historic Registry yet it couldn’t be saved with that distinction! :–(
I’m afraid I would have made local news if I had gone as I can picture myself being chained to the building so the team from Elkart couldn’t do their ‘wonderful and honorable’ work!
Steve: Interesting to note that the Arcada Theatre is owned by someone in Seattle WA! Can’t believe that this Todd Smith has not responded, but hopefully he will as will Scott Price!
Steve: After reading about that theatre in Mishawaka, Indiana that made contact with that wrecking ball I’m more than hopeful that you can help with this theatre in St. Charles! That Illinois town has so much to offer and should continue to have a downtown theatre and that’s all I have to say about that, for now!
Steve: Sure sounds like you are working hard on your St. Charles theatre inquiry, but sorry to read that you aren’t getting any follow-up cooperation so will keep my fingers crossed in this worthwhile effort! At least you did have a positive theatre conversation with the Pres. of the St Charles Downtown Partnership which is a BIG step in the RIGHT direction. Keep pushing forward as all of us on CT are behind you to help with this ‘push’!
Ziggy: Just read your Buffalo comments. As everyone knows winters can be tough in Buffalo, but the other seasons are just fine and if one knows where to look one can find out of way great neighborhoods, historical buildings, wonderful restaurants and friendly folks along the shores of Lake Erie! I plan to check out the North Park Theatre and the Riviera this summer. I think Shea’s takes top honors for the City of Buffalo though.
E. Summer: Interesting post in regards to the Tiffany lamps as I wonder how many historic theatres had or have Tiffany lighting?
The style Pueblo Deco would be interesting and different!
Rob: Your Drive-In Nights video is beyond wonderful and the lyrics are RIGHT ON! And thanks so very much for including a copy of those RIGHT ON lyrics! You captured our drive-in memories in that song! Have a good Wyoming day!
Can anyone tell me the Grand architect(s)?
Thanks Tom! Are these additional theatres that you have listed all gone now? The one called the Tennessee is also the name of the recently restored theatre in Knoxville TN and supposedly the Nashville Tennessee marquee is now at the Knoxville theatre since it was the same name!
I urge anyone who comes upon this page to click on Rob’s website and just enjoy! He has a guestbook you can sign, too.
Photos of the Roanoke star in fog, by day, at sunset and at night can be viewed at the following website: View link
Though I do recall the Roanoke star that was on the side of a nearby mountain that could be seen from near and far! The following website gives background information about this star: View link
I hope to see this theatre someday while traveling through VA as I am somewhat familiar with the area yet don’t recall the Grandin when I was there visiting a boyfriend who attended college with me in MI back in the 60’s.
I recently spoke to a long time former theatre/drive-in owner and he told me that one month’s heating bill was $1,700 back in the late 80’s! The theatre WAS in my hometown of Westfield NY (The Grand).
And with Nashville being “Music City USA” it’s really hard to believe that these entertainment theatres were all demolished! They even built a ‘new’ Grand Old Opry, didn’t they?
I wonder if the city officials will at least erect a plaque (with historic photo) for all to remember what once stood so proudly on that land in the City of Mishawaka? If the Friends of the Tivoli are still together, perhaps this can be accomplished!?! One can only hope!
Final Tivoli Thoughts: I’ve been a member of CT for several months now and have to say that the theatre news story concerning the Tivoli affected me emotionally more than I thought it would, but after reading the sad story and then to see the SBT photo of that window coming down so close to that wrecking ball it just blew me away and I thought about that sad and disturbing image for the rest of the day! I wonder if this has affected others as much as it has me over the past 24 hours? I realize there will probably continue to be more sad theatre stories as that, unfortunately, comes ‘with the territory’ when having historic theatres and their ultimate fate as a hobby but the final fate of the Tivoli was a difficult one for me to accept for many reasons!
Focus: What you have written and I have just read is something all of us should read concerning the Tivoli saga and preserving theatres, in general. Unfortunately, it was too little too late for the Tivoli. I only hope the signature wall was saved, but from the picture posted on the South Bend Tribune website the signature front window was not and this is a real crime as the ‘murder’ of the Tivoli was certainly that…. a crime! When I read “It was like she didn’t want to quit,”, bystander Bob Martin mused. “She gave that wrecking ball a hard time.” it truly brought me to tears and I don’t even have a long time connection to Mishawaka nor it’s Tivoli! May the older residents of Mishawaka who recall the Tivoli in it’s heyday keep their memories of the Tivoli in their hearts and minds forever.
Mc: Please write about the seance at the Rialto as I’m sure it would be an experience few CT members could say they have experienced!
Just met some friends who grew up with the Columbiana so they had many great theatre memories to share!
You are a walking encyclopedia of theatre trivia, Bill so thanks for your CT contributions as I truly enjoy reading them! BTW, did read about the Gayety in Boston….another Mayor who doesn’t seem to have a theatre brain! LOL!
One of the oldest cinema treasures in the country? Opened in 1852!WOW!
I can’t seem to find a separate theatre page devoted to the Gayety Theatre so perhaps there isn’t one at this time and should be?
Gerald: I just found the http site that you have provided CT members. There is much to read, but do hope this theatre can be saved! Sounds like another ego-driven Mayor who wants to see progress for his city and not another theatre restoration. So very sad. I attended college in Boston and don’t recall the Gayety back in the 60’s, but then again my interest wasn’t old theatres at the time…it sure is now though! Fellow CT member, Bill of South Bend informed me of the Gayety Theatre story so I stopped by to learn and to leave my comment(s). Bill has posted about the Tivoli Theatre in Mishawaka Indiana whose Mayor felt that their theatre should be demolished! And to think that it was once on the National Historic Registry yet it couldn’t be saved with that distinction! :–(
I’m afraid I would have made local news if I had gone as I can picture myself being chained to the building so the team from Elkart couldn’t do their ‘wonderful and honorable’ work!