Capitol Theatre

313 Central Avenue,
Dunkirk, NY 14048

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Previous Names: Drohen Avenue Theatre, Drohen Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Capitol Theatre, Dunkirk, NY

Opened as the Drohen Avenue Theatre on December 25, 1918 with 1,200 seats. It was renamed Capitol Theatre in 1923. In the 1940’s it was operated by Warner Bros Circuit Management Corp.

It was demolished in the early 1970’s as a part of the city’s "urban renewal". The parking lot which replaced it still stands today.

Contributed by Paul Somerfeldt

Recent comments (view all 35 comments)

psomerf
psomerf on April 25, 2007 at 10:38 pm

I saw an ad in the ‘disturber’ in the late 40’s advertising a movie there. There’s a site that lists theaters past and present across the country. The one for the “Jamestown” area I think showed this one as being open for a short time. I don’t know anything beyond that. I’m currently on a mission to find out when the Japanese sub toured Dunkirk. :)

I’ve been playing with Google Earth as well. High resolution images of the Cine (before it was knocked down), the Regent, Van Buren DI, and the hotel drive in in Westfield.

Oh, and I thought I saw a snippet in the Observer that Dalton Burgett was a Sheriff’s Deputy during the 40’s.

Patsy
Patsy on April 26, 2007 at 12:14 am

Paul: Could you post the exact site(s) for seeing these above theatres on Google Earth? Especially the former drive-in in Westfield.

psomerf
psomerf on April 26, 2007 at 12:51 am

Google Earth is a program you download. http://earth.google.com/

I can’t figure out how to send you the locations. I think I would have to upgrade from the free version in order to do that.

If you know where the Chrysler dealership is on the east side of town, the Westfield DI is across the street. You know where the Regent is. If you can find the D&F Plaza, the Cine is on the east end of the plaza, the (small) stand alone building, just to the west of the mini golf place. If you where Van Buren is, then you should be able to find the VBDI.

I don’t know how long it will take to download.

psomerf
psomerf on April 30, 2007 at 7:57 pm

I found there may be a way, but I am going to be on the road off and on during the next month, so I won’t be able to play too much.

Patsy
Patsy on September 7, 2007 at 4:02 am

I wonder what happend to that organ and was it in the theatre when it was demolished?

Patsy
Patsy on September 7, 2007 at 4:05 am

Lost Memory: The August 19, 2005 photo isn’t there now and I’d love to see it again! Thanks.

psomerf
psomerf on August 12, 2010 at 6:47 pm

The block that this house was on has recently undergone some changes. As a result, only one building that shared the block with the Capitol remains standing. All have been lost in less than 45 years.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on September 9, 2010 at 4:17 am

From the 1940s a postcard image of Central Avenue that captured a view of the Capitol Theatre in Dunkirk.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on December 21, 2010 at 12:23 am

It was a WARNER THEATRE Still in the Fifties. Showing Jan.8 1951 was “LAST OUTPOST”.

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on April 1, 2011 at 12:39 am

In order to look at a 1912 tinted picture postcard of the lovely Mosonic Lodge (burned 1910) that
sat a few doors to the left of the Capitol Theatre go to Oklahoma Historical Society link and type
“dunkirk new york"
View link

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