ken mc: Thank you for posting the above information about this theatre and its needs in the 21st century. I hope and urge anyone in or near the Canton OH area to consider attending their fundraiser event, “An Affair to Remember” fundraiser which will help support the Palace. As I’ve mentioned before…I’ve seen this theatre from top to bottom and it is an Eberson beauty still standing proud on Market Street in downtown Canton.
LOUB: Are there pictures of the auditorium showing the Opus 501 and the lobby, etc. And are they good clear photos? Don’t mean to be picky, but many of us are really wanting to see some good interior photos of this once great theatre! Would the Erie County Library be of any help to us?
I have found the current owners through their wonderful website www.opus501.com This organ has quite a history and road traveled among its many owners over the years.
LOUB: I also recall emailing the current owners of the Lafayette Theatre organ who live in Lebanon PA. Do you happen to have an email for that owner? If so, send it to me at
At 3000 seats the Lafayette was a huge theatre for Buffalo NY and perhaps compares to the seating at Sheas on Main Street. Thank goodness Bufflao has the Sheas if not the Lafayette nor the Paramount!
Don Borden: I just read your Feb. 9, 2005 post and mention of Dennis Unks. I’ve spoken to him, but not lately about the organ that used to be in the Paramount/Buffalo NY and is now, as far as I know, in Erie PA. A fellow CT member, LAF, would like photos of the Lafayette organ, etc. so I hope you contact him at the email given in his Jan. 29, 2009 post.
LOUB: Would the book “True Theatre History During the 20th Century” by John Basil be available in Chautauqua County or just in the Buffalo/Erie County area?
“theatres bring communities together”..A great slogan that we are not to forget even though so many are lost to us now yet the ones that remain need to remain!
See that it opened in 1935 and closed in 1955 so a 20 year run for this theatre isn’t very long compared to some at 40 years before someone decides the town doesn’t need a theatre whether big or small, but this one being a significant Rapp & Rapp makes no sense at all to me that it was demolished!
erco46: What is on that site now and please please don’t tell us that it is a parking lot. Why was this theatre demolished? And any interior photos would be great to see.
rdsub: Nice to read that downtown DeLand is a happening little place nice with nice restaurants and bars now! I see you typed Deland and I have recently seen it typed as DeLand. Which is politically correct?
Lost: I must have seen this organ on the stage in front of a red curtain so this must be the mysterious white organ that I remember seeing in a theatre somewhere and that somewhere was the Palace in Canton Ohio!
LAF: I would like to see interior photos of this once great theatre. Such a shame it is gone along with the Paramount and so many others in the Buffalo area.
Don’t see the Lafayette Theatre on the above site though. I would think that Mr. Sandhu would have photos, if anyone!
http://www.buffaloah.com/h/movie/sandhu/index.html
How does one contact Mr. Sandhu?
ken mc: Thank you for posting the above information about this theatre and its needs in the 21st century. I hope and urge anyone in or near the Canton OH area to consider attending their fundraiser event, “An Affair to Remember” fundraiser which will help support the Palace. As I’ve mentioned before…I’ve seen this theatre from top to bottom and it is an Eberson beauty still standing proud on Market Street in downtown Canton.
LOUB: Are there pictures of the auditorium showing the Opus 501 and the lobby, etc. And are they good clear photos? Don’t mean to be picky, but many of us are really wanting to see some good interior photos of this once great theatre! Would the Erie County Library be of any help to us?
If anyone has interior photos of this theatre, please contact or myself. Thank you!
I have found the current owners through their wonderful website www.opus501.com This organ has quite a history and road traveled among its many owners over the years.
Love this theatre’s marquees!
LOUB: I also recall emailing the current owners of the Lafayette Theatre organ who live in Lebanon PA. Do you happen to have an email for that owner? If so, send it to me at
At 3000 seats the Lafayette was a huge theatre for Buffalo NY and perhaps compares to the seating at Sheas on Main Street. Thank goodness Bufflao has the Sheas if not the Lafayette nor the Paramount!
Don Borden: I just read your Feb. 9, 2005 post and mention of Dennis Unks. I’ve spoken to him, but not lately about the organ that used to be in the Paramount/Buffalo NY and is now, as far as I know, in Erie PA. A fellow CT member, LAF, would like photos of the Lafayette organ, etc. so I hope you contact him at the email given in his Jan. 29, 2009 post.
LAF: Sorry…I see there is much info posted earlier on this link about the Lafayette organ, but any additional would be fine, too.
LAF: Can you give us some background information about the organ that was in the Lafayette?
LOUB: Would the book “True Theatre History During the 20th Century” by John Basil be available in Chautauqua County or just in the Buffalo/Erie County area?
“theatres bring communities together”..A great slogan that we are not to forget even though so many are lost to us now yet the ones that remain need to remain!
See that it opened in 1935 and closed in 1955 so a 20 year run for this theatre isn’t very long compared to some at 40 years before someone decides the town doesn’t need a theatre whether big or small, but this one being a significant Rapp & Rapp makes no sense at all to me that it was demolished!
I just sent the Lane Public Library an email in regards to more photos.
And to think Hamilton demolished a Rapp & Rapp designed theatre….why it’s unimagineable!
erco46: What is on that site now and please please don’t tell us that it is a parking lot. Why was this theatre demolished? And any interior photos would be great to see.
Yes, a welcome relief!
rdsub: Nice to read that downtown DeLand is a happening little place nice with nice restaurants and bars now! I see you typed Deland and I have recently seen it typed as DeLand. Which is politically correct?
Perhaps this will help CT member, LAF.
Lost: I must have seen this organ on the stage in front of a red curtain so this must be the mysterious white organ that I remember seeing in a theatre somewhere and that somewhere was the Palace in Canton Ohio!
Lost: No, unfortunately not. There was a reason, but I don’t recall at the moment why. I do recall seeing this theatre from top to bottom though.
LAF: I would like to see interior photos of this once great theatre. Such a shame it is gone along with the Paramount and so many others in the Buffalo area.