Colfax Theatre
213 W. Colfax Avenue,
South Bend,
IN
46601
213 W. Colfax Avenue,
South Bend,
IN
46601
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This opened on August 4th, 1928 per this grand opening ad:
Colfax theatre opening Fri, Aug 3, 1928 – 27 · The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Saint Joseph, Indiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Stanislaus on Feb 26 you said you had pictures of the grand stairway at the colfax theatre. can you post it?
Well, hello Ed, you and your father both worked there I believe. I use to carry to cans up to the booth for you. Hope you are doing well.
I worked at the Colfax Theater as projectionist from 1973 to 1977 for Mr.Louis Nye and later for another company that tried (and failed) to run the theater. It was an old fashioned projection room with two Century projectors and carbon arcs. There were remnants of the older days like an old spotlight and a slide projector still in the booth. It also had a massive cooling fan for summers driven by a large fan belt the projectionist would have to turn on at the start of the day and off again at the end of the night. It was an interesting place.
I was employed from 73-76 at The Colfax and worked for Louie “Mr. Showman” Nye. I and several of my friends performed the grunt work for “Earthquake”. The ceiling had roof leaks and the water damaged plaster broke loose, I know I cleaned it up. Dana 62 I wasn’t there when the equipment was removed but the glass slides were piled on a 3 floor dressing room suite floor – very sad. The Colfax had 5 floors of dressing rooms, total of ten, 4 being suites. The building had water cooled air conditioning. I have pics I should dig up of the chandelier, house lighting, the statue of Minerva, the Grand Stairway with its double brass handrail. I loved this place. Towards the end it got a little campy with the lighting Nye installed. Seating fell into disrepair and we employed duct tape. I have some nickle popcorn boxes and beer bottles found in the balcony vomitory. I actually spent some of the best times in High School at the Colfax.
I grew up in Mishawaka/South Bend. I remember seeing “Earthquake” at the Colfax in 1974, probably shortly before it was closed for good. The movie was in “Sensurround” which meant that there were bass reflex speakers on the stage pounding out vibrating waves of sound which also loosened some plaster in the old theater’s ceiling! I remember thinking ‘Wow this is really realistic – I feel like the building is coming down!’
Though not quite the showplace that the Granada or State theaters were, I do remember the lobby of the Colfax as being quite cozy. I would love to see more pictures from the heyday if anyone has any.
State of Indiana photo uploaded here.
The WurliTzer from the Colfax was sold in 1963 to Gunther H. Hille of Canfeild Ohio.He installed it in his home, and played it until he passed away. His family then donated it to the American Organ Institute, of the University Of Oklahoma, Norman,Ok. More information is available on their website . There are some photos of the console and pipes included in the article. == Sam ==
I’d like to know if anyone rescued the projection equipment that was moved into the lobby before the place was demolished. There was a very old special effects machine amonst the pieces. It had a color wheel, glass slide transport(for announcements and sing-alongs) and a cloud tank.
There’s irony here. The Google Map picture topping this page shows the current South Bend Tribune building squatting on the site. The SBT demolished the lovely and historic Colfax Theatre, listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, to put up its brick hulk. Sic transit gloria mundi….. Sigh!
I saw “War and Peace” shown on two different nights at the Colfax theater… a marathon event. It literally had a cast of thousands.
Here is an early forties photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2evfdu
According to our records, The Colfax was operated by Balaban and Katz as of October 1st, 1949. For more information visit www.balabanandkatzfoundation.com
David Balaban
The Colfax theater opened in 1929. It sat 2100. An attempt was made at restoration in the mid 1980’s which never came to be, but that was my opportunity to see the interior. It was a beautiful auditorium. I believe it was demolished in 1994 by the local newspaper, The South Bend Tribune, for new offices. I will try to post some pictures in the near future.
This theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.It lists the architects as H.G.Christman & co and is listed as vacant and not in use.
atmos.