A Sports Illustrated article from 1990 about Boston Rock Gym, back when they were still in the Central Theatre and the whole concept was still quite novel. It says that this was the first indoor rock-climbing gym east of the Rockies.
From the article: “The four-story building had been a performance theater until the 1950s; from the 35- by 17-foot floor, the four walls of the former fly loft, behind what was the stage, soar upward 40 feet. The three partners couldn’t have asked for a better set for the type of play they had in mind. They spent 2� months converting the structure. There are 17 separate climbing routes up the four brick sides; artificial hand- and footholds are screwed into the surface. Near the top of one is a plywood overhang covered with textured panels, for friction, and also fitted with handholds and footholdsâ€"for experienced climbers. Another wall has a 22-foot section that is kicked-back, or slightly inclined. Compared with the other three in the room, it looks like a downright easy ascent.”
Today at noon I attempted to visit the church, only to find the front door locked up tight. I have no idea whether the congregation actually exists, or celebrates the Sabbath on a day other than Sunday, or what.
Cambridge Lock appears to be in disarray and out of business. I don’t know what the future holds for this storefront. SoundBites expanded across the street rather than moving in here.
The current tenant of the second floor (where I think the theatre was located) appears to be a Portuguese-language church, Tabernáculo dos Pentecostais. I may try to stop in some Sunday morning when services are going on.
On the first floor is an empty storefront (at the corner), a painting company called First Nick, and a laundromat. An Italian social club is in the basement. The building has 16 apartments, 6 entered from Highland Ave. and 10 from Central Street.
Thanks, Ron. I’ve now entered all of the known Somerville MA theatres onto this site. Can you look up the Broadway Theatre and Somerville Theatre in the MGM report, and enter their information onto the appropriate pages?
According to David Guss’s website Lost Theatres of Somerville, the Cross Street Orpheum opened on Monday, March 27, 1916.
I don’t yet know exactly when it closed. The Lost Theatres website has this 1941 photo where it is clearly open, and this 1945 photo where it appears to be closed and abandoned, which a blank marquee.
The Capitol opened on Monday, March 7, 1927 and closed in 1963, according to David Guss’s website Lost Theatres of Somerville.
The ‘gangland shooting’ referred to in the description happened on October 30, 1965, after the theatre had already been closed for two years. It was torn down some time after that, but I don’t yet know exactly when.
The Broadway opened on Monday, November 22, 1915, according to David Guss’s Lost Theatres of Somerville website.
The website refers to a Somerville Journal article titled “Theater Gone But Not Forgotten” published in the Somerville Journal on March 4, 1982, but I don’t yet know the exact closing date that year.
Still sitting empty, more than three years after it closed.
A Sports Illustrated article from 1990 about Boston Rock Gym, back when they were still in the Central Theatre and the whole concept was still quite novel. It says that this was the first indoor rock-climbing gym east of the Rockies.
From the article: “The four-story building had been a performance theater until the 1950s; from the 35- by 17-foot floor, the four walls of the former fly loft, behind what was the stage, soar upward 40 feet. The three partners couldn’t have asked for a better set for the type of play they had in mind. They spent 2� months converting the structure. There are 17 separate climbing routes up the four brick sides; artificial hand- and footholds are screwed into the surface. Near the top of one is a plywood overhang covered with textured panels, for friction, and also fitted with handholds and footholdsâ€"for experienced climbers. Another wall has a 22-foot section that is kicked-back, or slightly inclined. Compared with the other three in the room, it looks like a downright easy ascent.”
Only wine, no beer?
What happened to all of the comments here?
I recall Paint Your Wagon had a long run here, and was surprised many years later to learn that it was considered a box-office bomb.
That’s the one I remember with that name, on 5th Avenue.
Today at noon I attempted to visit the church, only to find the front door locked up tight. I have no idea whether the congregation actually exists, or celebrates the Sabbath on a day other than Sunday, or what.
Cambridge Lock appears to be in disarray and out of business. I don’t know what the future holds for this storefront. SoundBites expanded across the street rather than moving in here.
Answering ken mc’s question above, this building now has 17 condos.
The current tenant of the second floor (where I think the theatre was located) appears to be a Portuguese-language church, Tabernáculo dos Pentecostais. I may try to stop in some Sunday morning when services are going on.
On the first floor is an empty storefront (at the corner), a painting company called First Nick, and a laundromat. An Italian social club is in the basement. The building has 16 apartments, 6 entered from Highland Ave. and 10 from Central Street.
Just an office – there was never a theatre in this location.
Those errors make me wonder about the factual accuracy of other MGM theatre reports.
Thanks, Ron. I’ve now entered all of the known Somerville MA theatres onto this site. Can you look up the Broadway Theatre and Somerville Theatre in the MGM report, and enter their information onto the appropriate pages?
According to Guss’s website, the Teele Square opened on Monday, January 16, 1922, closed in 1967, and was demolished some time in the mid-1990s.
According to David Guss’s website Lost Theatres of Somerville, the Cross Street Orpheum opened on Monday, March 27, 1916.
I don’t yet know exactly when it closed. The Lost Theatres website has this 1941 photo where it is clearly open, and this 1945 photo where it appears to be closed and abandoned, which a blank marquee.
According to David Guss’s website Lost Theatres of Somerville, the theatre opened in November 1921 and “operated for nearly forty years”.
I don’t yet know what exact year it closed. I don’t think it was still operating by the 70s (as the Description currently says).
The Capitol opened on Monday, March 7, 1927 and closed in 1963, according to David Guss’s website Lost Theatres of Somerville.
The ‘gangland shooting’ referred to in the description happened on October 30, 1965, after the theatre had already been closed for two years. It was torn down some time after that, but I don’t yet know exactly when.
The Broadway opened on Monday, November 22, 1915, according to David Guss’s Lost Theatres of Somerville website.
The website refers to a Somerville Journal article titled “Theater Gone But Not Forgotten” published in the Somerville Journal on March 4, 1982, but I don’t yet know the exact closing date that year.
The Ball Square opened on April 9, 1923 and closed in 1956, according to David Guss’s Lost Theatres of Somerville website.
correct spelling is Peterborough
Glad to see this on YouTube again — for a while it had disappeared due to a copyright takedown claim.
Which Off the Wall was this — Main Street or Pearl Street?
The last movie I remember seeing with a built-in intermission was “Gettysburg”.
What does the developer plan to build here?
From the Wicked Local blog: Boston gets a new IMAX theater, but it may not be as big as you think
They’re now aiming at May 7 for the opening of Iron Man 2, though it may be ready a week or two earlier.
Is there some reason you can’t still park at the Federal Building for free? Do they charge now?