If the powers to be didn’t save the ‘signature front window’, it’s highly doubtful that the ‘signature wall’ was saved. :–( I’ve heard of theatres having signature walls and if this is the case with the Tivoli that is another reminder of how very special this theatre was to the community and could still have been if only the fine folks of Mishawaka had had a brain…should have gone to see the wonderful wizard in the Wizard of Oz to get one!
Bill: There was a dressing room plaster wall with signatures from the days of vaudeville on it? Oh my God! This Tivoli story is going from bad to worse…if it can get any worse which is highly doubtful! Have to ask, did you witness this ‘murder’ in Mishawaka? Someone should write a letter to the editor of the SBT and entitle it Murder in Mishawaka! If I lived in the surrounding area, I would most certainly write a letter to the editor, though I did send my email to him!
First I read about the Arcada in St. Charles and now the Tivoli in Mishawaka…it’s more than I can almost handle yet I know there are similar theatre stories across this land. :–(
As you can see the demise of the Tivoli has really struck a ‘theatre cord’ with me and I’m in mourning and will be for some time. Hope to hear from others and their personal Tivoli thoughts! I only wish that I had known of this theatre when visiting Mishawaka a few years ago! I wouldn’t feel so badly if only that signature front window could have been SAVED! Some of the local bystanders with video cameras seemed to have smiles on their faces..unbelievable! :–(
Just read Adam Jackson’s Tivoli Theatre article and then proceeded to write him an email which reads as follows:
My name is Pat Locke and I just wanted to thank you for your SBT Tivoli Theatre though it was emotionally disturbing to read today on the Cinema Treasures website. I have written the SBT editor/publisher with my thoughts, too. It was very difficult to see the photos provided with the article, but then I had to read the following words which saddened me to no end:
“After proving a tough nut to crack, the front of the historic building finally gave way, with the signature front window collapsing in a cloud of dust at 2:20 p.m.”
This theatre should have been saved, at all costs and now the fine folks of Mishawaka will have to accept the results of their stupidity!
“After proving a tough nut to crack, the front of the historic building finally gave way, with the signature front window collapsing in a cloud of dust at 2:20 p.m.” This quote taken from the South Bend Tribune article provided by fellow member, Bryan Krefft. I had hoped that the signature front window could have been saved and incorporated into whatever they plan to build on this land, but not the case and I am simply emotionally drained from reading and see this story with photos! Cinema Treasures is a great site, but with my interest in old movie palaces comes heartache such as what I’m feeling today, Feb. 4, 2005! :–(
I have written the editor/publisher of the South Bend Tribune as I felt he should know my personal feelings. Even though I’m not a Mishawaka resident, I am greatly saddened today upon reading about the demise of the Tivoli and the great loss for that city in the State of Indiana!
Bill of South Bend: My exact thoughts and such a sad commentary in regards to the local mentality! They must feel that this country truly needs another quintessential parking lot! Wake up America! I’ve been to Mishawaka, but probably won’t ever visit again in light of this hard to believe sad cinema news story!
“Sadly, after a valiant struggle since the early 90s to save the Tivoli by several groups, the theater was razed in February 2005, to clear the site for future redevelopment.” Such a sad statement!
Bryan: Not the cinema news that I wanted to read first thing this a.m.! I recall being in the City of Mishawawka, Indiana several summers ago while visiting Notre Dame and other local sights and since I wasn’t ‘into old theatres’ then I completely missed seeing this theatre that is only a memory now! :–((
Steve: I don’t know if you have ever visited another cinema site that features some theatres in Maine that might be of interest to you and close to your location in the State. The website address is as follows:
Don: Thanks for suggesting the 1891 Fredonia Opera House as that would be a wonderful theatre to feature on Blue Print having been there, myself, to see the magnificent restoration in Fredonia NY which is close to Jamestown’s Reg Lenna and Erie’s Warner Theatre.
My theatre suggestion is the Reg Lenna Theatre in Jamestown NY along the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake which was mentioned in several I Love Lucy episodes. It was the Palace Theatre when Lucille Ball first graced that theatre’s stage as a young girl before heading to NYC to model and then onto Hollywood. In 1956, she and her husband, Desi Arnaz returned to her hometown theatre for the debut of Forever Darling! Also, the Warner Theatre in Erie PA which has been restored to its former grandeur and beauty.
Judging from the response I think the History Channel will get all they need and more to put together some great theatre restoration episodes which can’t help but stir up interest in these treasures across the country. One thing for sure is that it will make some of these communities who are thinking about demolishing their threatres to think twice about their decision!
mattepntr: Ditto your thoughts! We have a neglected and decaying old movie theatre here in Charlotte that I’m sure has a ghost(s) or a soul. Though I can’t say I’ve ever been in a theatre at 3 in the morning, I would imagine that one could easily have “some pretty freaky feelings”. If Mr. King is listening or reading, he might write his next novel in and around a movie theatre plot as you suggest! I’m sure the general thought is that old abandoned theatres are probably haunted.
steiner: I sure enjoyed chatting with your father about theatres in the Erie PA area and look forward to meeting him this summer and seeing his theatre scrapbook!
stevepatrick: You are quite welcome and I wish you the very best on your upcoming trip to Chicagoland! Amazing how a couple of emails can make a difference! And if I find myself in St. Charles in June with my hubby and if you are living there by then, I will most definitely want to meet you!
Thanks for the Bush information and since there are 2 pages devoted to the Arcada Theatre this one and the official #63 Arcada Theatre page I try to keep up on both Cinema Treasures pages so this theatre is in need of concern, support and TLC.
If the powers to be didn’t save the ‘signature front window’, it’s highly doubtful that the ‘signature wall’ was saved. :–( I’ve heard of theatres having signature walls and if this is the case with the Tivoli that is another reminder of how very special this theatre was to the community and could still have been if only the fine folks of Mishawaka had had a brain…should have gone to see the wonderful wizard in the Wizard of Oz to get one!
Bill: There was a dressing room plaster wall with signatures from the days of vaudeville on it? Oh my God! This Tivoli story is going from bad to worse…if it can get any worse which is highly doubtful! Have to ask, did you witness this ‘murder’ in Mishawaka? Someone should write a letter to the editor of the SBT and entitle it Murder in Mishawaka! If I lived in the surrounding area, I would most certainly write a letter to the editor, though I did send my email to him!
Mayor Jeff Rea should be so very proud of himself today! NOT!
First I read about the Arcada in St. Charles and now the Tivoli in Mishawaka…it’s more than I can almost handle yet I know there are similar theatre stories across this land. :–(
As you can see the demise of the Tivoli has really struck a ‘theatre cord’ with me and I’m in mourning and will be for some time. Hope to hear from others and their personal Tivoli thoughts! I only wish that I had known of this theatre when visiting Mishawaka a few years ago! I wouldn’t feel so badly if only that signature front window could have been SAVED! Some of the local bystanders with video cameras seemed to have smiles on their faces..unbelievable! :–(
Just read Adam Jackson’s Tivoli Theatre article and then proceeded to write him an email which reads as follows:
My name is Pat Locke and I just wanted to thank you for your SBT Tivoli Theatre though it was emotionally disturbing to read today on the Cinema Treasures website. I have written the SBT editor/publisher with my thoughts, too. It was very difficult to see the photos provided with the article, but then I had to read the following words which saddened me to no end:
“After proving a tough nut to crack, the front of the historic building finally gave way, with the signature front window collapsing in a cloud of dust at 2:20 p.m.”
This theatre should have been saved, at all costs and now the fine folks of Mishawaka will have to accept the results of their stupidity!
Sincerely, Pat (Patsy) Locke (Cinema Treasures)
“After proving a tough nut to crack, the front of the historic building finally gave way, with the signature front window collapsing in a cloud of dust at 2:20 p.m.” This quote taken from the South Bend Tribune article provided by fellow member, Bryan Krefft. I had hoped that the signature front window could have been saved and incorporated into whatever they plan to build on this land, but not the case and I am simply emotionally drained from reading and see this story with photos! Cinema Treasures is a great site, but with my interest in old movie palaces comes heartache such as what I’m feeling today, Feb. 4, 2005! :–(
The following site provides Tivoli Theatre photos with demolition story:
http://www.wndu.com/news/022004/news_24157.php
I have written the editor/publisher of the South Bend Tribune as I felt he should know my personal feelings. Even though I’m not a Mishawaka resident, I am greatly saddened today upon reading about the demise of the Tivoli and the great loss for that city in the State of Indiana!
Bill of South Bend: My exact thoughts and such a sad commentary in regards to the local mentality! They must feel that this country truly needs another quintessential parking lot! Wake up America! I’ve been to Mishawaka, but probably won’t ever visit again in light of this hard to believe sad cinema news story!
“Sadly, after a valiant struggle since the early 90s to save the Tivoli by several groups, the theater was razed in February 2005, to clear the site for future redevelopment.” Such a sad statement!
Bryan: Not the cinema news that I wanted to read first thing this a.m.! I recall being in the City of Mishawawka, Indiana several summers ago while visiting Notre Dame and other local sights and since I wasn’t ‘into old theatres’ then I completely missed seeing this theatre that is only a memory now! :–((
The other cinema site that has equally broadened my cinema research and love of old theatres by State is as follows:
http://www.historictheatres.org/
Steve: I don’t know if you have ever visited another cinema site that features some theatres in Maine that might be of interest to you and close to your location in the State. The website address is as follows:
View link
Don: Thanks for suggesting the 1891 Fredonia Opera House as that would be a wonderful theatre to feature on Blue Print having been there, myself, to see the magnificent restoration in Fredonia NY which is close to Jamestown’s Reg Lenna and Erie’s Warner Theatre.
My theatre suggestion is the Reg Lenna Theatre in Jamestown NY along the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake which was mentioned in several I Love Lucy episodes. It was the Palace Theatre when Lucille Ball first graced that theatre’s stage as a young girl before heading to NYC to model and then onto Hollywood. In 1956, she and her husband, Desi Arnaz returned to her hometown theatre for the debut of Forever Darling! Also, the Warner Theatre in Erie PA which has been restored to its former grandeur and beauty.
Judging from the response I think the History Channel will get all they need and more to put together some great theatre restoration episodes which can’t help but stir up interest in these treasures across the country. One thing for sure is that it will make some of these communities who are thinking about demolishing their threatres to think twice about their decision!
Mike Cohen: I sure hope the History Channel includes the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville as I’ll be watching the theatre show(s) that are planned!
THIS is the kind of theatre news we all like to read! Congratulations!
mattepntr: Ditto your thoughts! We have a neglected and decaying old movie theatre here in Charlotte that I’m sure has a ghost(s) or a soul. Though I can’t say I’ve ever been in a theatre at 3 in the morning, I would imagine that one could easily have “some pretty freaky feelings”. If Mr. King is listening or reading, he might write his next novel in and around a movie theatre plot as you suggest! I’m sure the general thought is that old abandoned theatres are probably haunted.
steiner: I sure enjoyed chatting with your father about theatres in the Erie PA area and look forward to meeting him this summer and seeing his theatre scrapbook!
Upon your return from Chicago I will be interested to know what did or didn’t develop in regards to the Arcada! My fingers will be crossed!
stevepatrick: You are quite welcome and I wish you the very best on your upcoming trip to Chicagoland! Amazing how a couple of emails can make a difference! And if I find myself in St. Charles in June with my hubby and if you are living there by then, I will most definitely want to meet you!
Be sure to read the email from Matt/Arcada Theatre on the official Arcada Theatre page!
Thanks for the Bush information and since there are 2 pages devoted to the Arcada Theatre this one and the official #63 Arcada Theatre page I try to keep up on both Cinema Treasures pages so this theatre is in need of concern, support and TLC.
Interesting to read that the building owner lives out of state so may not be as ‘involved’ as St. Charles residents. Good luck and keep us updated!