Garden Theater

Regarding the Crescent Theatre noted earlier as shown in the AMPD at 2125 Jamaica Avenue: there is an ad in the January 1, 1914 issue of the Leader-Observer — the East New York/Western Queens local newspaper — showing the 2125 Jamaica Avenue address as being the “Blue Cat Theatre” and in the Brooklyn Hills section of Woodhaven/Richmond Hill.

What year was the Garden torn down? Was it anything after it was a theater?

I guess the Greenpoint Garden was so called to promote Greenpoint as the “Garden Spot of the World” – a term proudly touted by the local politicos that – during the time of this theater’s existence, and long after – would have required one’s tongue to be firmly placed in one’s cheek.

Bway, the Brooklyn Garden was situated on Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint, accross the street from the Meserole. It was strictly a silent era house that closed in the late 1920’s and became a catering hall. Since an elevated subway never existed on Manhattan Ave., this wasn’t the place depicted in the picture.

By the way, the Brooklyn Garden has a short Cinema Treasures page that is worth exploring.

It’s very possible. I see the el up ahead. There is a photo on nycsubway.org that shows the upper part of the Garden:

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6626

If “philmem” is still available-

I lived in Richmond Hill from 1938 until 1950 on 108th st. My twin sister and I went to the Garden Theatre whenever my parents wanted to get rid of us for an afternoon…we were there a lot! $.05 was the admission then My grandmother lived just south of Jamaica Ave on the east side of 112th st, and, coincidentally, since childhood was best friends with Mrs Marx{Evie)who lived next door to you, and they had three boys.

Warren; Regarding your above post on May 29, 2007, I have the Cedar/Richmond Hill Theatre listed earlier than 1921. In the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 it is the Maple Theatre.

Lost Memory; Regarding your above post on June 25, 2005 in which the newspaper article states ‘the Garden Theatre was built in 1919’. In the American Motion Picture directory 1914-1915 there is a Garden Theatre listed on Jamaica Avenue (no number given). I wonder if there were two Garden Theatres or if that 1919 date is incorrect.

Warren; There is no Majestic Theatre listed in 1914-1915 so maybe it remained open after the Garden or the other Garden (if there was more than one) had opened?(well until at least 1921).

For the record here are the Richmond Hill theatres listed in 1914-1915:

Amus. Palace Theatre, 2818 Jamaica Avenue
Crescent Theatre, 2125 Jamaica Avenue
Dreamland Theatre, Oxford & Jamaica Avenues
Garden Theatre, Jamaica Avenue
Library Square Theatre, 304 Lefferts Avenue
Maple Theatre, 2923 Jamaica Avenue

Hey gardenguy,
I too went to Holy Child fr0m 1932 to 1940 and I remember the Christian Science church and reading room as well as Woolworths. Memory fades on the fish store but I do remember an appliance store but not its name. They featured the early strange looking TV sets which disappeared when WW ll began. The tavern on the northwest corner (south side) of Jamaica and 111th had a set and we used to hover in the doorway and watch it. In 1940 we moved to Brooklyn for a year and then back to Woodhaven next door (almost) to the Wiiiard theater. In fact I was watching a movie in the Willard when Pearl Harbor was attacked. There was an announcement over the PA system for all military personnel to report to their bases but they never said why.
By the way I lived south of Jamaica and north of the Marx home. I think you mistakenly reversed the directions in your message.
philmem

Yes indeed,Warren,Jamaica Ave runs east-west. 111th St runs north-south and has odd numbered addresses on the east side of the street. Mine was 8729. I did not know or had forgotten that Jamaica Ave had even numbered addresses on its south side. Does this imply that the Garden was on the north side? Is 113-12 an odd or an even number? The hyphenated structure is a bit unusual. Usually an address like 11312 implies the 12th postal unit from 113th st, road or whatever. There is usually some logic to these address numbers the trick being knowing what that logic is.
I’m not familiar with Phil M. Daly or his trade paper but must compliment him on his (or his parents) choice of names.
Thanks for the input.
philmem

Thanks, Paul Gifford, gardenguy, for posting your memories of the Garden Theater and of your old neighborhood. I find them to be very interesting, including 101st Avenue once being Jerome Avenue. Please continue.

That’s true, Bway. I suppose that was also partly true of the Valencia.

Thanks, Warren. Interesting that Richmond Hill once had its own telephone exchange, in addition to the VI(ctoria)(84) exchange.