Comments about Strand Theatre in Jamaica Plain, MA

Joe Vogel on January 16, 2017 at 6:57 pm

The Strand was remodeled in 1917, as noted in the July 14 issue of The American Contractor:

:“Theater, Store, Office & Hall (alt.): 100x112. Starr Lane & Centre St.. Jamaica Plain dist. Archt. E. R. B. Chapman, 44 Bromfleld St., Boston, & 119 Franklin St., Stoneham, Mass. Owner F. J. Horgan, Strand Theater, Jamaica Plain. Redrawing plans.”

Judging from mentions in trade journals and books of the period, E. R. B. Chapman was fairly busy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but he seems not to be remembered today.

MarkB on May 22, 2012 at 7:31 pm

I uploaded an enlarged section of a photo that shows the Strand marquee.

rsalters (Ron Salters) on January 31, 2011 at 1:27 pm

The street directory section of the 1918 edition of the Boston Register and Business Directory, Issue 83, says: “Strand Theatre moving pictures, Emmet Block, 658 Centre St, JP” (near Green Street).

rsalters (Ron Salters) on January 26, 2011 at 3:13 pm

The Strand at 658 Centre St in JP is listed in a Boston business directory, Issue 85, which I think is 1921. Found it on Google Books.

MarkB on November 22, 2008 at 12:54 am

The building went up at 652-660 Centre st in 1910. It was a mixed retail/theatre space, with a hall named Emmett hall for the Irish Republican hero.It opened as a theatre showing silent movies and became the Strand some time before 1924. You can see the vertical marquee in the old picture here:
View link

You can see the location at Centre st. and Starr lane in this 1924 map. http://www.wardmaps.com/viewasset.php?aid=1321

rsalters (Ron Salters) on January 12, 2008 at 1:26 pm

In the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook theatre list there is a “Supreme Theatre” in Jamaica Plain, with 600 seats. No other info. Could that be another name for the Strand/Emmet Theatre ??

Ron Newman on January 12, 2008 at 12:37 am

Can you give us a more exact street address? Centre is a very long street. What is on this site now?

Strand Theatre

652-660 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

652-660 Centre Street,
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130