Egleston Theatre
3091 Washington Street,
Jamaica Plain,
MA
02130
3091 Washington Street,
Jamaica Plain,
MA
02130
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That info agrees with the JP Historical Society info posted above which says it closed in April 1961.
I just learned from someone who would know that the Egleston closed in 1961.
The JP HIstorical Society info, posted above, says that the Egleston Theatre dates from 1926. Yet MarkB found it on a 1924 map. It’s listed as “The Egleston Theatre”, at 3093 Washington St. in the Boston Register and Business Directory, Issue 83, 1918; and in the same directory, Issue 85, 1921.
MarkB – thanks for posting the link to this map. I didn’t realize that the Egleston Th. was on the west side of Washington St., somehow I was given the impression that it was on the east side of the street right near Egleston Sq. No wonder I couldn’t seem to spot it from the el train overhead – I was looking on the wrong side! Well, Duh !
Here is a link to a 1924 map showing the exact location of the Egleston Theatre:
http://flickr.com/photos/12157608@N07/3058905007/
The theatre was on Washington street on the north corner of Beethoven street. Today, there is a single-floor retail block on Washington street, and multi-level housing to the rear along Beethoven street.
From the Jamica Plain Historical Society:
3089 – 3091 Washington Street at Beethoven Street
Egleston Theater
Littlefield Trust, owner.
Densmore, LeClear and Robbins, architect.
Theater and stores.
Permit Feb. 26, 1925.
Completed May 1, 1926.
New box office and poster cases built in 1937 and a new marquee was built
in 1947. Closed in April,1961.
On the site of the wood frame Egleston Methodist Episcopal Church dedicated on June 13,1872.
Densmore. LeClear and Robbins were involved at the same time with their design of Beth Israel Hospital on Brookline Avenue.
Razed in July and August, 2003 to make way for 20 units of affordable rental housing developed by Urban Edge. Icon Architects, designer.
I have no idea.
What is being built in its place?
This theatre was demolished in 2003.
I rode the “el” line daily about 1970-75 but was never able to pinpoint the theatre’s location from the train. The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Egleston calls it the “Egleston Square Theatre” and says it’s in Roxbury. One M&P Theatres lists says it’s in Jamaica Plain, while the Paramount Theatres list places it in Roxbury. As far as I know, Egleston Sq. is part of J.P. The photo, dated May 1941, in the MGM Report is very poor, but it shows an upright for the elevated structure on the sidewalk in front of the theatre. There is a rectangular marquee with “The Egleston” in huge bulbed letters on its front. The movie posted on the side of the marquee is “Western Union”. The Report states that the theatre has been a MGM customer for over 10 years, that it was built over 15 years ago (in 1941) and is in Poor condition. There were 1012 seats on the main floor and 210 balcony seats, total: 1,222 seats. It is described as a “Neighborhood” theatre. In the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook, the Egleston is listed as having only 500 seats – that seems incorrect.
I thought this was still standing vacant, but I haven’t been around that area in a while.