Comments from JayFarrell

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JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Hippodrome Theatre on Nov 16, 2023 at 5:07 am

Also, the Ripley name didn’t appear here until the 1947 clothing store was built. In 1909 the theater was known as the Hippodrome Palace, according to a help wanted ad: “PIANO PLAYER for vaudeville and pictures. Apply Today before noon, Hippodrome Palace, 608 South st.”

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-piano-player-h/135285032/

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Hippodrome Theatre on Nov 16, 2023 at 4:51 am

According to an archive file of zoning docs, the Hippodrome was razed in 1942 and the Ripley clothing store was constructed in 1947. https://s3.amazonaws.com/lni-zoning-pdfs/219-336816.pdf

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Hill Theatre on Dec 14, 2022 at 8:16 pm

The actual address of the Hill Theatre was 8324 Germantown Ave, according to various newspaper ads and historical maps, but the property possibly included more than one number, such as 8320-24.

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Hollywood Theatre on Oct 3, 2020 at 11:33 am

Philadelphia zoning document archives indicate the conversion to a dry cleaner/tailor occurred circa 1951, earlier than previously believed.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/lni-zoning-pdfs/219-47931.pdf

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Venice Theatre on Dec 12, 2019 at 7:31 pm

From what I see in a zoning/building permit archive file, it appears the conversion to catering hall occured c. 1954.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/lni-zoning-pdfs/219-333973.pdf

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Avon Theatre on Jun 17, 2018 at 5:29 am

Sadly, contrary to my previous post, the Avon has been gone for a long time, per historic maps I’ve seen since. The supermarket is in a completely separate building, dating back to at least 1875. I was previously going on incorrect information and photos from the Philadelphia Buildings and Architects site, which stated it was converted to a supermarket in 1950; apparently Irvin Glazer was mistaken.

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Bluebird Theatre on Jun 15, 2018 at 9:07 pm

Or actually, they do have 2300 addresses in that block. Looks like the Owl is 2304.

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Bluebird Theatre on Jun 15, 2018 at 8:47 pm

Joe Vogel, you are correct with your streetview suggestion. That is the Owl Theatre, which in ads general listed its address as 23rd & South (It fronts both Grays Ferry Ave and South St, wrapping around a now-vacant corner lot). The streets are kind of confusing there, because in that block 23rd St more or less merges into the diagonal Grays Ferry Avenue for one block, but the buildings in that block have 22xx Grays Ferry Ave addresses.

The owner of the Owl Theatre building just recently began renovating it into retails spaces; prior to that, it had served as a warehouse for a fine art dealer, until several years ago.

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Owl Theatre on Jun 15, 2018 at 2:41 pm

A correct streetview link of the Grays Ferry Avenue side:

https://goo.gl/maps/64avuDfgtwD2

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Owl Theatre on Jun 15, 2018 at 2:37 pm

Or more correctly, Grays Ferry Avenue, rather than 23rd St, as 23rd becomes Grays Ferry in that block.

JayFarrell
JayFarrell commented about Owl Theatre on Jun 15, 2018 at 2:23 pm

The Owl Theatre is most assuredly not demolished. It served as a warehouse for a fine arts dealer until several years ago and just in recent weeks the owner has begun to renovate it into retail spaces. The building fronts on 2 streets, South and 23rd, and had wrapped around a long-gone building on the corner.