Lost Memory: Your March 16, 2006 wintery photo of the Oswego Theatre is probably how it looks now as Oswego has been in the Winter of 2007 news, of late.
I see the 512 in the photo so perhaps the building was either renumbered or it does span multiple addresses. A close-up of the sign showing the weed growing out of the roof really shows the neglect to this beautiful terra cotta exterior in an area that once thrived and is now a decaying neighborhood.
I guess so though the address at the top of this link reads 516. As we’ve learned before there are discrepancies when it comes to addresses with some of these theatres around the country.
This is interesting that the Sattler Theatre may have been used by not only Joy Temple, but as Mosque of the Nation of Islam. Whoever used it as a house of worship didn’t put any TLC into the building when being used by those organizations.
“This 928-seat, $35,000 "fireproof” theatre was built in 1914, on the site of the old wood-frame Casino Theatre. The architect was Henry L. Spann, probably in collaboration with his much-younger brother William T. Spann. John G. Sattler, the local real-estate tycoon and owner of Sattler department store, commissioned it. In 1919 or 1920 the theatre changed hands, and it was renamed the Broadway. In 1922 the new management installed a Marr & Colton 2-manual organ. Later still the Basil brothers took over and renamed it Basil’s Broadway. In recent years it was used as a church, Joy Temple, and possibly a Mosque of the Nation of Islam. Records found inside contain attendance lists for Muhammad’s Mosque of Islam No 23 dated 1969 and 1970. Church info list Muhammad’s Mosque of Islam No 23 as being at a nearby address (an empty lot), but not the listed address of the Sattler Theatre (but then, the listed address for the theatre is not the address on the building…and if the address on the building is correct, the location of the Mosque was at Sattler). The Mosque has sinced moved, info to be updated soon when I can make a trip to the current Mosque. There is no info about Joy Temple."
The exterior terra cotta work, alone, makes it worth saving. I, too, hope that the light above is a skylight and not a hole in the roof. It would be interesting to talk to someone who is or was a member of Joy Temple during the period they used the former theatre for services though a Google search brought forth…nothing.
Yes, those are quite the interior photos….one can only imagine when this theatre was in its heyday. I wonder how long it has been since the Joy Temple used it? Yes, it really is in shambles. My favorite photos are of a seat with face design and of the ceiling design.
Thanks for the Buffalo commentary though sad to read. I’ve learned of a Sattlers Department Store at 918 Broadway which is historically connected to the Sattler Theatre at 516. Also, another East side department store called Eckhardt’s on Broadway. What happened to the East side as it must have been nice at one time?
Lost Memory: These interior photos are really something as it’s the first time I have ever seen any interior photos, but have known about this former theatre in Buffalo for quite awhile thanks to CT. This theatre needs to be restored. I have forwarded the photo site to a Buffalo friend of mine to get his thoughts. And I can’t help but wonder why the church didn’t take better TLC when they had possession of it!
This site has many Jim Rankin posts and it makes me stop and pause as I think of our wonderful CT friend whom we shall all remember with great respect and fondness.
Bryan: Thanks so very much for this photo as I’ve been wanting to see something ever since I found this theatre on CT and posted my initial request in August of 2005. If you find others, please post. Thanks again and yes, “at least it’s a start”.
Lost Memory: Your March 16, 2006 wintery photo of the Oswego Theatre is probably how it looks now as Oswego has been in the Winter of 2007 news, of late.
I see the 512 in the photo so perhaps the building was either renumbered or it does span multiple addresses. A close-up of the sign showing the weed growing out of the roof really shows the neglect to this beautiful terra cotta exterior in an area that once thrived and is now a decaying neighborhood.
I guess so though the address at the top of this link reads 516. As we’ve learned before there are discrepancies when it comes to addresses with some of these theatres around the country.
I hope that CT member, John Basil can shed more light on this theatre and Mr. Sattler for us.
Interesting observation!
This is interesting that the Sattler Theatre may have been used by not only Joy Temple, but as Mosque of the Nation of Islam. Whoever used it as a house of worship didn’t put any TLC into the building when being used by those organizations.
“This 928-seat, $35,000 "fireproof” theatre was built in 1914, on the site of the old wood-frame Casino Theatre. The architect was Henry L. Spann, probably in collaboration with his much-younger brother William T. Spann. John G. Sattler, the local real-estate tycoon and owner of Sattler department store, commissioned it. In 1919 or 1920 the theatre changed hands, and it was renamed the Broadway. In 1922 the new management installed a Marr & Colton 2-manual organ. Later still the Basil brothers took over and renamed it Basil’s Broadway. In recent years it was used as a church, Joy Temple, and possibly a Mosque of the Nation of Islam. Records found inside contain attendance lists for Muhammad’s Mosque of Islam No 23 dated 1969 and 1970. Church info list Muhammad’s Mosque of Islam No 23 as being at a nearby address (an empty lot), but not the listed address of the Sattler Theatre (but then, the listed address for the theatre is not the address on the building…and if the address on the building is correct, the location of the Mosque was at Sattler). The Mosque has sinced moved, info to be updated soon when I can make a trip to the current Mosque. There is no info about Joy Temple."
The exterior terra cotta work, alone, makes it worth saving. I, too, hope that the light above is a skylight and not a hole in the roof. It would be interesting to talk to someone who is or was a member of Joy Temple during the period they used the former theatre for services though a Google search brought forth…nothing.
If this theatre had been built downtown near the theatre district, it might have had a fighting chance in today’s world!
I sadly agree….to restore that neighborhood might be quite a challenge…in the meantime this theatre will sit abandoned and further decay.
Yes, those are quite the interior photos….one can only imagine when this theatre was in its heyday. I wonder how long it has been since the Joy Temple used it? Yes, it really is in shambles. My favorite photos are of a seat with face design and of the ceiling design.
Wish I could find interior photos of those former department stores. Do you recall the Parasol Room where customers ate lunch?
Thanks for the Buffalo commentary though sad to read. I’ve learned of a Sattlers Department Store at 918 Broadway which is historically connected to the Sattler Theatre at 516. Also, another East side department store called Eckhardt’s on Broadway. What happened to the East side as it must have been nice at one time?
And I wonder who was able to enter this theatre/church to get these unbelievable photos now that it has been abandoned?
Lost Memory: These interior photos are really something as it’s the first time I have ever seen any interior photos, but have known about this former theatre in Buffalo for quite awhile thanks to CT. This theatre needs to be restored. I have forwarded the photo site to a Buffalo friend of mine to get his thoughts. And I can’t help but wonder why the church didn’t take better TLC when they had possession of it!
This site has many Jim Rankin posts and it makes me stop and pause as I think of our wonderful CT friend whom we shall all remember with great respect and fondness.
And since it was an Eberson theatre, an art deco interior photo would be most interesting!
Bryan: Thanks so very much for this photo as I’ve been wanting to see something ever since I found this theatre on CT and posted my initial request in August of 2005. If you find others, please post. Thanks again and yes, “at least it’s a start”.
I still would love to see a photo of this theatre as it looked before demolition.
Thanks for the “definitely gone” confirmation though I wish the Butler were still standing for future generations.
Richard D: Thanks so much for your important tornado information as I have been concerned about those communities.
Lost Memory: Could you find and post a more current photo of the Bohemia Theater?
And is there a theatre in the college town of Cleveland, TN?
If someone could post a photo of this closed theater, I thank you. BTW, Athens is the home of Mayfield Ice Cream…great tour and ice cream parlor.
Richard D: What do you know about the Orange City and Deltona areas?