Building constructed 1891, and had been a saloon before conversion to a theater. The NRHP listing spells the name McClasky. Cafe function is wrong. This is used for retail. The building’s architect was J. Jackwitz, but he likely didn’t have anything to do with the theater conversion. There used to be a nice cornice, and a funny little tower on the left, but those were removed long ago. I’ve added a 2009 picture.
A little more research. The Community Lighthouse was a teen center, and had been open since at least 2008. The theater apparently closed sometime in the ‘60s, and was turned into retail. I’m not sure how long, if ever, the EPCT operated. There is no website, and the only mention I found was a 2018 article from the Youngstown Vindicator saying the city was considering tearing the building down, and describing it as gutted and derelict. Status should be closed, I think.
The front portion of this building was constructed sometime between 1908 and 1915, likely toward the later side given the architecture. The 1915 map shows it operating as a theater, despite being only about half its present depth. It seems to be vacant on the 1926 map, and the 1939 map shows it extended to its current size, and back in operation. You can easily see a change in the bricks on the side wall, showing this extension.
It had become the EPCT by 2013, and prior streetviews show it called the ‘Community Lighthouse’. It appeared to be abandoned, but when I peeked through the gap between the doors, there was an older gentleman standing in the lobby. Not sure if they are working on the building, but it doesn’t look open.
Needs to be listed as demolished. The building was west of the alley in what is now a parking lot behind the American Legion. It did not appear on the 1908 map. Address was 60 W Rebecca.
National Register listing for downtown says this was built 1913-14 by the Knights of Pythias as their hall, with retail and theater space to provide income. The architect was Harry Edgar Hunter of Cedar Rapids.
1915 map gives a capacity of 378, and the 1920 map says 367. Historical address seems to have been 1132, and possibly very briefly 203-205 E Marion St, before it was renamed and the address scheme changed.
It seems (I can’t find copies online) that the 1928 map shows the theater still open, but by 1939 it had become the post office. The building was definitely still there in the early ‘50s.
That other Electric must have been at 116 W 6th, since the entire even side of the 100 block of E 6th was the C.G.W. Railroad freight depot. I didn’t look at the part of town across the river yet.
This is a very lazy listing with no information at all. The theater was constructed sometime between 1911 and 1916. The address would have been 801 G Ave. The building was demolished many years ago, although both neighboring structures remain. When built, it was on Main St, at the corner with 5th, but both streets have been renamed.
SethG
commented about
Theatreon
Jul 19, 2023 at 10:39 am
This listing is for the theater on the corner.
SethG
commented about
Cinema 16on
Jul 18, 2023 at 6:48 pm
The building dates to 1954, and was originally a grocery.
Added a Sanborn view showing the plan. 1962 map shows 210-212 as one facade. I think the front was redone much more recently, and 214 incorporated into it.
Most importantly, it appears that the theater was completely demolished for the Osco. The building on the 1962 map is quite a bit deeper, and none of it is one story, which the theater is shown to be on the 1910 and 1918 maps.
It’s hard to tell if the bland Auto-CAD facade of what was 210-214 hides older buildings behind it. There hasn’t been an Osco for years. Even the 2009 streetview doesn’t show it. The building is called the ‘Regional Business Center’.
The Empress was actually quite an old building, and was built sometime before 1885 as an opera house. The 1892 to 1900 maps call it Packard’s Opera House, but the 1909 map notes that it is being used as a garage. It seems to have been cut down by about ten feet in front during its revival as a theater.
Building constructed 1891, and had been a saloon before conversion to a theater. The NRHP listing spells the name McClasky. Cafe function is wrong. This is used for retail. The building’s architect was J. Jackwitz, but he likely didn’t have anything to do with the theater conversion. There used to be a nice cornice, and a funny little tower on the left, but those were removed long ago. I’ve added a 2009 picture.
A little more research. The Community Lighthouse was a teen center, and had been open since at least 2008. The theater apparently closed sometime in the ‘60s, and was turned into retail. I’m not sure how long, if ever, the EPCT operated. There is no website, and the only mention I found was a 2018 article from the Youngstown Vindicator saying the city was considering tearing the building down, and describing it as gutted and derelict. Status should be closed, I think.
The front portion of this building was constructed sometime between 1908 and 1915, likely toward the later side given the architecture. The 1915 map shows it operating as a theater, despite being only about half its present depth. It seems to be vacant on the 1926 map, and the 1939 map shows it extended to its current size, and back in operation. You can easily see a change in the bricks on the side wall, showing this extension. It had become the EPCT by 2013, and prior streetviews show it called the ‘Community Lighthouse’. It appeared to be abandoned, but when I peeked through the gap between the doors, there was an older gentleman standing in the lobby. Not sure if they are working on the building, but it doesn’t look open.
Needs to be listed as demolished. The building was west of the alley in what is now a parking lot behind the American Legion. It did not appear on the 1908 map. Address was 60 W Rebecca.
Theater was on the right in the photo above.
According to the National Register listing for downtown, which seems very well researched, this was the Diamond.
Note that the historical address was 426 Main St, but most of the ‘downtown’ grid was renamed and renumbered.
National Register listing for downtown says this was built 1913-14 by the Knights of Pythias as their hall, with retail and theater space to provide income. The architect was Harry Edgar Hunter of Cedar Rapids.
1915 map gives a capacity of 378, and the 1920 map says 367. Historical address seems to have been 1132, and possibly very briefly 203-205 E Marion St, before it was renamed and the address scheme changed.
Obviously much older than 1941. It was constructed sometime between 1911 and 1915.
It seems (I can’t find copies online) that the 1928 map shows the theater still open, but by 1939 it had become the post office. The building was definitely still there in the early ‘50s.
That other Electric must have been at 116 W 6th, since the entire even side of the 100 block of E 6th was the C.G.W. Railroad freight depot. I didn’t look at the part of town across the river yet.
Note that odds and evens switched sides sometime after the theater was demolished.
This is a very lazy listing with no information at all. The theater was constructed sometime between 1911 and 1916. The address would have been 801 G Ave. The building was demolished many years ago, although both neighboring structures remain. When built, it was on Main St, at the corner with 5th, but both streets have been renamed.
This listing is for the theater on the corner.
The building dates to 1954, and was originally a grocery.
The 1962 map shows that the front of the building (retail and lobby space) was retained, but today the location is an enormous parking garage.
The 1918 Sanborn gives a capacity of 1,208, and shows a completely different balcony design from the 1910 map.
Added a Sanborn view showing the plan. 1962 map shows 210-212 as one facade. I think the front was redone much more recently, and 214 incorporated into it.
Most importantly, it appears that the theater was completely demolished for the Osco. The building on the 1962 map is quite a bit deeper, and none of it is one story, which the theater is shown to be on the 1910 and 1918 maps.
It’s hard to tell if the bland Auto-CAD facade of what was 210-214 hides older buildings behind it. There hasn’t been an Osco for years. Even the 2009 streetview doesn’t show it. The building is called the ‘Regional Business Center’.
1918 Sanborn gives a capacity of 735, 1962 map says 750.
The Empress was actually quite an old building, and was built sometime before 1885 as an opera house. The 1892 to 1900 maps call it Packard’s Opera House, but the 1909 map notes that it is being used as a garage. It seems to have been cut down by about ten feet in front during its revival as a theater.
Aha! I tried that site, and got the impression that it was one where you needed a login. Thanks.
Where did you find the 1928 map? I couldn’t find an online version.
This must be the ‘New’ Roxy, then, although obviously there’s only room for Roxy on the vertical.