This was the Warner brothers first theater in Youngstown. They would later acquire the Dome Theatre before building the Warner Theater,after which the Dome was closed.
This little theatre was located a couple of doors up from the Grand Opera House on the South West corner of the Public Square. On the North West corner of the Public Square was another theatre.
This little theater operated between 1907 and at least till 1915, but little else is known about it. If there is anyone who can provide more information, we’d be greatful.
There was also another Bijou Theatre that opened later on the corner of Watt and East Federal Streets, but the two were not related.
I have no idea where the dates for this theater were taken frombut the fact of the matter is that the Lincoln was still opoen in 1954 as can be clearly seen by the ad from the Youngstown Vindicator for April 25, 1954.
Actually the Princess Theatre opened in the early 1900’s and was Youngstown’s third theater after the Grand Opera House and the Park Theater. Just exactly how many seats there was in this house is not known.
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania economic development officials have awarded $180,000 to a pair of Clearfield County revitalization projects, according to State Sen. John Wozniak.
The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will give a Keystone Communities grant of $150,000 to address flood protection in Coalport and $30,000 to help renovate the Ritz Theater in Clearfield.
“State investments in our communities are important and that’s why I am pleased that funding for key projects in Clearfield County has been aggressively pursued by local officials and groups,” said Wozniak
“Funding for the preliminary work on a flood control project in Coalport and the revitalization of the Ritz Theater in Clearfield Borough will help the communities grow and prosper.”
Clearfield Borough, on behalf of the Clearfield Revitalization Corp. (CRC), will utilize $30,000 as a grant-to-loan to fund the preservation of the historical Ritz Theater by converting to a digital projection system.
“Clearfield Borough expresses its sincere appreciation to the Office of the Governor and to the DCED for their continuing support of our community revitalization efforts,” said Leslie Stott, Clearfield Borough operations manager.
“This redevelopment grant-to-loan award has allowed the CRC to help the historic Ritz Theater survive through the film industry’s transition to digital technology and to sustain its community development efforts into the future.”
The remaining grant for $150,000 will focus on expenses associated with the preliminary work for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Flood Protection Project in the Borough of Coalport, which will address flood protection issues and construction plans.
An estimated $12 million in property would be protected as a result of this project, along with helping to stimulate new business development by addressing flood risk concerns.
“Located in southern Clearfield County, Coalport Borough has experienced flooding since 1936. In 1959 Glendale Dam was built to help control the flooding; however, major flooding still occurs along Clearfield Creek in Coalport Borough and parts of Beccaria Township,” said Lisa Kovalick, community development specialist with the Clearfield County Planning & Community Development Office.
“This $150,000 grant for development from the Keystone Communities program along with $290,000 in matching funds, will allow the Borough to prepare for the flood project, protecting, residents and their homes, businesses, infrastructure and industry in southern Clearfield County.”
The Keystone Communities program was created in 2011 to assist commonwealth communities in achieving redevelopment. The program supports physical improvements to both designated and other communities that are undertaking revitalization to restore deteriorated downtowns, residential neighborhoods and industrial/manufacturing sites.
In its day, the Hipp riveled the Park as to the stage shows it brought in, but once the Keath Albee Palace was built, the Hipp couldn’t compete and finally closed and it’s location was turned into the Greyhound Bus Station with the loading area where the stage was once located. The Park Theatre hung on till 1948 when an accident on stage caused severe damage to the flys and ended the theaters as a major live venue and it ended up as a burlesque house. A sad ending for a grand old theater.
That was the main entrance to the Park Theater. It also could be accessed from East Federal Street (See photos) This entrance was later closed but I don’t have the date. (There are also photos here of the Park showing the inside of the lobby when it had an entrance on East Federal Street.).
Gentlemen, first thank you for your interest in Youngstown’s theatrical history.
The entrance to the Hippodrome was inside the Hippodrome Arcade, half way between Federal and Commerce Streets. There were numerous stores inside the Arcade so it was like a mini-mall. The Dome Theatre was two doors west of Hazel Street on the North Side of the Street. The Liberty Theatre was nearby, and across the street was the Orpheum Theatre at the site that the State Theatre sat on. As to the Esquire/Family Theatre, it was located on South Champion Street acros the street from the Park Theatre and was also known as the Princess Theatre. This theatre was primarily a vaudeville/burlesque house that alo showed movies. This theatre started its life as the Family Theater, changing to Princess later on and keeping that name till tht early 1930’s when it became known as the Grand Theatre specializing in Burlesque strip tease shows until the late 40’s when burlesque moved over to the Park Theatre and its'name was changed once again to the Esquire Theatre and dropped the live shows. By mid 1950 this small theater was demolished. As to the Park heatre, it would be demolished in the mid 1960’s because of Urban Renewal. The Regent Theater on the lower East end of Federal was also demolished in the mid 1960’s for the same reason.
I tried to list all of the early theaters that I was able to find out about, and did have a scrap book that I had created,but as I said,in the process of moving I had to leave it along with all my other local history notes behind. If this is any help, most of the early theaters were short lived so that by 1920 were just memories.
I dorecall the Luxor and did run across a small ad for it in one of the ancient Vindicators, but in the process of moving, I lost most of the material I had gathered on Youngstown’s history, so I can’t give you a date. I do though know that in the early 1900’s there were at least 6 theaters east of Central Square.
Unfortunately no attempt was made to remove the consul or any of the pipes before demolition began so far as I know. As to the pipes themselves most were long gone before demolition even began.
The owner of the theater at the time, Rick Blackwell, showed me the organ in the 1980’s when he was trying to restore the theater, and what you see in the photo was just about all that was left then.
It sounds like you are referring to either the Palace and Strand or the Paramount and State, but most likely the less impressive of them would have been the Strand.
On the other hand,the Paramount and State were across the street from each other.
Emil Renner (a member of the Renner Brewery family) was one of the original owners of the State. He also oned the Princess Theatre; Realto Theatre; Uptown Theatre; Mahoning Theater; Cameo Theater; and Victor Theater, all of Youngstown.
The Cameo Theater was built at the same time that the State was built and was located between Chestnut and Fifth Avenue in downtown Youngstown and had a seating capacity of 800. It lasted for about 20 years before it closed, and the building was later demolished.
There is very little information about the Cameo other than what I mentioned, so I can’t give it its own page unless someone can provide more information. I do have a photo of the outside of the Cameo.
Opening night for the Warner Theatre was a huge affair for the people of Youngstown, and riveled anything out of Hollywood or New York. Here are te links to the newspaper account of opening night.
This was the Warner brothers first theater in Youngstown. They would later acquire the Dome Theatre before building the Warner Theater,after which the Dome was closed.
This little theatre was located a couple of doors up from the Grand Opera House on the South West corner of the Public Square. On the North West corner of the Public Square was another theatre.
This little theater operated between 1907 and at least till 1915, but little else is known about it. If there is anyone who can provide more information, we’d be greatful.
There was also another Bijou Theatre that opened later on the corner of Watt and East Federal Streets, but the two were not related.
The Wilson Theater was still open in the early 1950’s according to the theater pages of the Youngstown Vindicator.
Actually the Home Theater was still open in 1955 as can be seen by the ads.
I have no idea where the dates for this theater were taken frombut the fact of the matter is that the Lincoln was still opoen in 1954 as can be clearly seen by the ad from the Youngstown Vindicator for April 25, 1954.
THE 1959 is the year the photo was taken.
Actually the Princess Theatre opened in the early 1900’s and was Youngstown’s third theater after the Grand Opera House and the Park Theater. Just exactly how many seats there was in this house is not known.
The West Side Drive in in the 1950’s showed mostly “B” pictures.
WYTV did a story on DeYor/Powers the other night with some good interior views. Here is the link
http://wytv.com/2014/11/17/powers-auditorium-is-gem-in-downtown-youngstown/
Thanks for your post and bringing the organ back to the valley. Feel free to add some photos of the organ here.
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania economic development officials have awarded $180,000 to a pair of Clearfield County revitalization projects, according to State Sen. John Wozniak.
The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will give a Keystone Communities grant of $150,000 to address flood protection in Coalport and $30,000 to help renovate the Ritz Theater in Clearfield.
“State investments in our communities are important and that’s why I am pleased that funding for key projects in Clearfield County has been aggressively pursued by local officials and groups,” said Wozniak
“Funding for the preliminary work on a flood control project in Coalport and the revitalization of the Ritz Theater in Clearfield Borough will help the communities grow and prosper.”
Clearfield Borough, on behalf of the Clearfield Revitalization Corp. (CRC), will utilize $30,000 as a grant-to-loan to fund the preservation of the historical Ritz Theater by converting to a digital projection system.
“Clearfield Borough expresses its sincere appreciation to the Office of the Governor and to the DCED for their continuing support of our community revitalization efforts,” said Leslie Stott, Clearfield Borough operations manager.
“This redevelopment grant-to-loan award has allowed the CRC to help the historic Ritz Theater survive through the film industry’s transition to digital technology and to sustain its community development efforts into the future.”
The remaining grant for $150,000 will focus on expenses associated with the preliminary work for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Flood Protection Project in the Borough of Coalport, which will address flood protection issues and construction plans.
An estimated $12 million in property would be protected as a result of this project, along with helping to stimulate new business development by addressing flood risk concerns.
“Located in southern Clearfield County, Coalport Borough has experienced flooding since 1936. In 1959 Glendale Dam was built to help control the flooding; however, major flooding still occurs along Clearfield Creek in Coalport Borough and parts of Beccaria Township,” said Lisa Kovalick, community development specialist with the Clearfield County Planning & Community Development Office.
“This $150,000 grant for development from the Keystone Communities program along with $290,000 in matching funds, will allow the Borough to prepare for the flood project, protecting, residents and their homes, businesses, infrastructure and industry in southern Clearfield County.”
The Keystone Communities program was created in 2011 to assist commonwealth communities in achieving redevelopment. The program supports physical improvements to both designated and other communities that are undertaking revitalization to restore deteriorated downtowns, residential neighborhoods and industrial/manufacturing sites.
In its day, the Hipp riveled the Park as to the stage shows it brought in, but once the Keath Albee Palace was built, the Hipp couldn’t compete and finally closed and it’s location was turned into the Greyhound Bus Station with the loading area where the stage was once located. The Park Theatre hung on till 1948 when an accident on stage caused severe damage to the flys and ended the theaters as a major live venue and it ended up as a burlesque house. A sad ending for a grand old theater.
That was the main entrance to the Park Theater. It also could be accessed from East Federal Street (See photos) This entrance was later closed but I don’t have the date. (There are also photos here of the Park showing the inside of the lobby when it had an entrance on East Federal Street.).
Gentlemen, first thank you for your interest in Youngstown’s theatrical history. The entrance to the Hippodrome was inside the Hippodrome Arcade, half way between Federal and Commerce Streets. There were numerous stores inside the Arcade so it was like a mini-mall. The Dome Theatre was two doors west of Hazel Street on the North Side of the Street. The Liberty Theatre was nearby, and across the street was the Orpheum Theatre at the site that the State Theatre sat on. As to the Esquire/Family Theatre, it was located on South Champion Street acros the street from the Park Theatre and was also known as the Princess Theatre. This theatre was primarily a vaudeville/burlesque house that alo showed movies. This theatre started its life as the Family Theater, changing to Princess later on and keeping that name till tht early 1930’s when it became known as the Grand Theatre specializing in Burlesque strip tease shows until the late 40’s when burlesque moved over to the Park Theatre and its'name was changed once again to the Esquire Theatre and dropped the live shows. By mid 1950 this small theater was demolished. As to the Park heatre, it would be demolished in the mid 1960’s because of Urban Renewal. The Regent Theater on the lower East end of Federal was also demolished in the mid 1960’s for the same reason.
Oh, and Joe, thanks for the two links. They were very helpful.
I tried to list all of the early theaters that I was able to find out about, and did have a scrap book that I had created,but as I said,in the process of moving I had to leave it along with all my other local history notes behind. If this is any help, most of the early theaters were short lived so that by 1920 were just memories.
I dorecall the Luxor and did run across a small ad for it in one of the ancient Vindicators, but in the process of moving, I lost most of the material I had gathered on Youngstown’s history, so I can’t give you a date. I do though know that in the early 1900’s there were at least 6 theaters east of Central Square.
Students from New York’s New School of Design were in to see about restoring this theater according to WKBN-TV News.
Unfortunately no attempt was made to remove the consul or any of the pipes before demolition began so far as I know. As to the pipes themselves most were long gone before demolition even began. The owner of the theater at the time, Rick Blackwell, showed me the organ in the 1980’s when he was trying to restore the theater, and what you see in the photo was just about all that was left then.
It sounds like you are referring to either the Palace and Strand or the Paramount and State, but most likely the less impressive of them would have been the Strand. On the other hand,the Paramount and State were across the street from each other.
Emil Renner (a member of the Renner Brewery family) was one of the original owners of the State. He also oned the Princess Theatre; Realto Theatre; Uptown Theatre; Mahoning Theater; Cameo Theater; and Victor Theater, all of Youngstown.
The Cameo Theater was built at the same time that the State was built and was located between Chestnut and Fifth Avenue in downtown Youngstown and had a seating capacity of 800. It lasted for about 20 years before it closed, and the building was later demolished.
There is very little information about the Cameo other than what I mentioned, so I can’t give it its own page unless someone can provide more information. I do have a photo of the outside of the Cameo.
What did you think about the articles? I noticed that the paper didn’t give as big a splash to the Palace as they did the Warner.
Chuck, thank you for the links, I don’t know how to do it so your contribution is quite helpful.
Opening night for the Warner Theatre was a huge affair for the people of Youngstown, and riveled anything out of Hollywood or New York. Here are te links to the newspaper account of opening night.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6Y9cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3VcNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2234%2C5886153
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6Y9cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3VcNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1559%2C5956204
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6Y9cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3VcNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4950%2C5886448
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6Y9cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3VcNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1289%2C5926321
The Kimball organ installed in the State Theatre in Youngstown.