My dad was projectionist at the Liberty at the time it burned (and given that there were only two other open theatres in Michigan City at the time, he abruptly wound up in a new line of work). There was a men’s clothing store in the building. The store caught fire one night (Dad always called it an “insurance fire”, though at this late date that’s impossible to establish) and burned the theatre down. The site became a parking lot and drive-thru for Citizens Bank (who, incidentally, managed to accidentally burn down the Tivoli).
The Tivoli wasn’t demolished, as such. To the north of the theatre (on the left in the picture) was what was known as the “Tivoli Annex” (a small storefront and office building), and then on the corner, Citizens Bank. The bank occupied the Annex, for additional office space. In the very early 70’s the bank was remodeling the Annex building, and the workers accidentally set it on fire. The fire, as I recall, burned down both the annex and the attached theatre building. After the site was cleared, the bank then built it’s new headquarters on the site.
My dad was projectionist at the Liberty at the time it burned (and given that there were only two other open theatres in Michigan City at the time, he abruptly wound up in a new line of work). There was a men’s clothing store in the building. The store caught fire one night (Dad always called it an “insurance fire”, though at this late date that’s impossible to establish) and burned the theatre down. The site became a parking lot and drive-thru for Citizens Bank (who, incidentally, managed to accidentally burn down the Tivoli).
The Tivoli wasn’t demolished, as such. To the north of the theatre (on the left in the picture) was what was known as the “Tivoli Annex” (a small storefront and office building), and then on the corner, Citizens Bank. The bank occupied the Annex, for additional office space. In the very early 70’s the bank was remodeling the Annex building, and the workers accidentally set it on fire. The fire, as I recall, burned down both the annex and the attached theatre building. After the site was cleared, the bank then built it’s new headquarters on the site.