Capitol Theatre
313 Central Avenue,
Dunkirk,
NY
14048
313 Central Avenue,
Dunkirk,
NY
14048
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Previous Names: Drohen Avenue Theatre, Drohen Theatre
Nearby Theaters
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
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Recent comments (view all 35 comments)
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.
Paul: Could you post the exact site(s) for seeing these above theatres on Google Earth? Especially the former drive-in in Westfield.
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.
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.
I wonder what happend to that organ and was it in the theatre when it was demolished?
Lost Memory: The August 19, 2005 photo isn’t there now and I’d love to see it again! Thanks.
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.
From the 1940s a postcard image of Central Avenue that captured a view of the Capitol Theatre in Dunkirk.
It was a WARNER THEATRE Still in the Fifties. Showing Jan.8 1951 was “LAST OUTPOST”.
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