Brighton Theater
1739 Brighton Place,
Pittsburgh,
PA
15212
1739 Brighton Place,
Pittsburgh,
PA
15212
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Contributed by
John R Schmude
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
My grandfather, Harry Fleishman, had the Brighton Theater built and he continued to operate it until the early 1960s. It was a family-run business. My mother and aunt are still around and they’ve told me many wonderful stories over the years about the theater and what it was like to work there. The theater was in a large building and there used to be a ten lane bowling alley on the third floor. The building also had a apartment for rent on the second floor and housed a couple of other small businesses. It now owned by the city postal union and I believe it is used as a meeting hall for them. Just recently I heard that the theater bowl had been refurbished and renovated for use as a ballroom available for rental. Don’t know whether or not that is accurate. It’s a magnificent building with classic art deco design — a real treasure.
An earlier Brighton Theatre was at 1810 Brighton (Road or Place), circa 1917. It must have been gone by 1928 this Brighton Theatre (also known as the New Brighton, probably in the beginning), opened Nov. 10, 1928, at 1739 Brighton Place. The capacity was listed as 700 and 750, both probably rounded off numbers, in different sources.
Before becoming a union meeting hall for Branch 84 of the National Association of Letter Carriers in 1982, it had been used for warehouse storage by the Frame Electric Company.
It was also a dance studio at one point. My records indicate it closed in 1959, but I lack a precise date and the final attractions.
Listed in the 1960 Pittsburgh yellow page at 1739 Brighton Place. Phone number was FAirfx 1-6628.
I asked my mom about the theater building having a dance studio in it, and yes, she says that there was indeed one there. She thinks it was during the late 1940s (there was a large room available for rent on the third floor of the building).
And I can tell you that the building was most definitely on Brighton Place. My mother’s family used to live down the street from it and I’ve been there!
“I am researching the history of Brighton Place properties and particular Brighton Theatre. The building is gorgeous and my local community group is considering nominating it for Designated Historic Building. I will appreciate any information about the Theater and Brighton Place – please contact me at . I will post the history of the theatre as soon as I collect enough data. Thanks to all!”
My grandfather, Mr. Charles Mathews, was the musical director of the Old Brighton Theatre, and then the New Brighton Theatre, until his untimely death.
Here’s (http://goo.gl/maps/wO7g) the correct street view of the building which is definitely on Brighton Place.
Opened November 10th, 1928
Grand opening ad posted.