FROM THE …
NATIONAL REGISTER
OF HISTORIC PLACES
~ NOMINATION FORM ~
~
The Ramona Theater in Buhl is one of Idaho’s last survivors of the “movie palace” decade of 1920’s. Its style combines Spanish Mission and Islamic elements, suggesting something from the movie sets of the day perhaps those in Douglas Fairbank’s “Thief of Bagdad,” produced in 1924.
~
Its pink stucco mass is accented with a four story corner tower 41 feet tall, topped by a mosque-like dome. Tall, graceful finials rise from four corners of the tower and the top of the dome. Crenellated battlements finish the tower. Window openings are framed with Moorish arches or Spanish Baroque quatrefoils. A Baroque false gable balances the tower, and other facade walls are capped with red roof-tiles.
~
Few changes have been made to the exterior, aside from general deterioration of paint and some lost windows. The color was originally light beige,accented with red, green, and pink. On the interior, mural decorations have been painted over and a decorative chandelier removed. There is local interest in preservation and restoration of this unique community landmark.
~
In January 1928, plans were drawn up by architect Burton Morse for a new theater for the Harris-Voeller Company. The new building was to be on the site of the old Wade building, and parts of the old building built about 1917 were to be incorporated into the new. The wrecking began early in February with the removal of the rear wall, partitions and floors. A new floor was built on an incline. With the partitions gone, the roof and ceiling were supported by a system of four immense steel trusses, leaving no posts in the building.
~
The Ramona was thought to be very modern in every way, right down to the ladies room off the lobby. The electrical work was done by L. G. Nelson at a cost of $3500. In the operator’s room there were two Motiograph projectors, a spotlight with six different colors and a complete signal system connecting the operator’s room with the stage. On the exterior were colored lights and floodlights to light the dome. Steam heating and air cooling were installed by C. M. McQueary for $3800. Fans brought in fresh air and a complete change of air was made every few minutes. The general contractor was George Stitchter of Buhl whose bid was $22,000. The total cost was expected to run $40,000.
~
While the new theater was being built, Manager Voeller sponsored a contest to name the theater. The name had to be of Spanish or Moorish character and not more than five or six letters. M. C. McQuivey, a pharmacist at the Buhl Pharmacy, won the contest with the name taken from the novel by Helen Hunt Jackson. The lucky winner won a Lifetime Pass to the theater.
~
The new Ramona Theater opened on Friday, June 29, 1928 and played to a capacity crowd. The town of Buhl was excited about its new theater and the building was highly praised. (An editorial in the Buhl Herald ended with the statement, “There is little enough of art in this work-a-day world and the beauties of the new theater are thrice welcome. ” June 28, 1928, p. 1). The Ramona is now used only part of the year, and in the summer is often used for live productions by the Antique Festival Theater, with the late Aldrich Bowler.
~
RECIEVED IT’S ‘ STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ’ BY OFFICER CERTIFICATION OF ‘ MERLE WELLS. ’ DECEMBER 22, 1976 A.D.
The Gem, at 18 E. 7th St. operated from 1909-1923. The Alhambra, at 16. E. 7th St. operated from 1911-1932. Both were owned by William Hamm, who also owned the Blue Mouse at 20 E. 7th. This block likely came down when Dayton’s built the department store in 1963. On the left side of 7th were the Princess and Majestic Theaters. (David Kenney: Twin Cities Picture Show, MN HIst Soc Press, 2007)
The Gem, at 18 E. 7th St. operated from 1909-1923. The Alhambra, at 16. E. 7th St. operated from 1911-1932. Both were owned by William Hamm, who also owned the Blue Mouse at 20 E. 7th. This block likely came down when Dayton’s built the department store in 1963. On the left side of 7th were the Princess and Majestic Theaters. (David Kenney: Twin Cities Picture Show, MN HIst Soc Press, 2007)
Built in 1922 as a venue for silent movies and live entertainment
Renovated around 1933
Renovated again in 1950 including extensive changes to the exterior
Closed in July 1967
Used as warehouse – 1967 to 2001
Most recent renovation started in December 2001
Theatre reopened in October 2003
Building: 8,600 square feet and partial basement.
Originally had a 700-person seating capacity including the balcony. After the renovation, the seating capacity is approximately 250 with no balcony seating.
Ah, so the most recent five images in the gallery belong to the earlier Majestic at 231-233 Woodward.
Do you want to just create a page for that one, and I’ll transfer the pics to there?
Brief history and that of other theatres.
https://magicvalley.com/news/local/hidden-history-the-rise-of-moving-pictures-and-opera-in/article_e4acfa2d-3844-5d9e-9b90-ac58c1efcfdb.html
Photo credit M.B. Martin.
Crisper version of a previously posted photo.
http://loc.gov/pictures/resource/fsa.8c14489/
Crisper version.
http://loc.gov/pictures/resource/fsa.8c14489/
1935 photo added credit Southwest Florida Historical Society.
Photo of screen being built added via Larry Quigley. Managed by Don Shaver, projection by Dennis Jones who also projected at the Ramona.
Also owned by Bruce & Nancy Duffy in the late `80s.
Via Jeff Fehrenbacher.
FROM THE … NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES ~ NOMINATION FORM ~
~
The Ramona Theater in Buhl is one of Idaho’s last survivors of the “movie palace” decade of 1920’s. Its style combines Spanish Mission and Islamic elements, suggesting something from the movie sets of the day perhaps those in Douglas Fairbank’s “Thief of Bagdad,” produced in 1924.
~
Its pink stucco mass is accented with a four story corner tower 41 feet tall, topped by a mosque-like dome. Tall, graceful finials rise from four corners of the tower and the top of the dome. Crenellated battlements finish the tower. Window openings are framed with Moorish arches or Spanish Baroque quatrefoils. A Baroque false gable balances the tower, and other facade walls are capped with red roof-tiles.
~
Few changes have been made to the exterior, aside from general deterioration of paint and some lost windows. The color was originally light beige,accented with red, green, and pink. On the interior, mural decorations have been painted over and a decorative chandelier removed. There is local interest in preservation and restoration of this unique community landmark.
~
In January 1928, plans were drawn up by architect Burton Morse for a new theater for the Harris-Voeller Company. The new building was to be on the site of the old Wade building, and parts of the old building built about 1917 were to be incorporated into the new. The wrecking began early in February with the removal of the rear wall, partitions and floors. A new floor was built on an incline. With the partitions gone, the roof and ceiling were supported by a system of four immense steel trusses, leaving no posts in the building.
~
The Ramona was thought to be very modern in every way, right down to the ladies room off the lobby. The electrical work was done by L. G. Nelson at a cost of $3500. In the operator’s room there were two Motiograph projectors, a spotlight with six different colors and a complete signal system connecting the operator’s room with the stage. On the exterior were colored lights and floodlights to light the dome. Steam heating and air cooling were installed by C. M. McQueary for $3800. Fans brought in fresh air and a complete change of air was made every few minutes. The general contractor was George Stitchter of Buhl whose bid was $22,000. The total cost was expected to run $40,000.
~
While the new theater was being built, Manager Voeller sponsored a contest to name the theater. The name had to be of Spanish or Moorish character and not more than five or six letters. M. C. McQuivey, a pharmacist at the Buhl Pharmacy, won the contest with the name taken from the novel by Helen Hunt Jackson. The lucky winner won a Lifetime Pass to the theater.
~
The new Ramona Theater opened on Friday, June 29, 1928 and played to a capacity crowd. The town of Buhl was excited about its new theater and the building was highly praised. (An editorial in the Buhl Herald ended with the statement, “There is little enough of art in this work-a-day world and the beauties of the new theater are thrice welcome. ” June 28, 1928, p. 1). The Ramona is now used only part of the year, and in the summer is often used for live productions by the Antique Festival Theater, with the late Aldrich Bowler.
~
RECIEVED IT’S ‘ STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ’
BY OFFICER CERTIFICATION OF ‘ MERLE WELLS. ’
DECEMBER 22, 1976 A.D.
~
Closed during influenza outbreak.
http://www.influenzaarchive.org/cities/city-stpaul.html?fbclid=IwAR0Q7dOJQa8U67uGrRqCtpOs_PvcGzZYI1JwrfD9WVfiMFTXkOpPHpN_Fqo
Closed during influenza outbreak.
http://www.influenzaarchive.org/cities/city-stpaul.html?fbclid=IwAR0Q7dOJQa8U67uGrRqCtpOs_PvcGzZYI1JwrfD9WVfiMFTXkOpPHpN_Fqo
Additional history courtesy Joyce Mellom.
The Gem, at 18 E. 7th St. operated from 1909-1923. The Alhambra, at 16. E. 7th St. operated from 1911-1932. Both were owned by William Hamm, who also owned the Blue Mouse at 20 E. 7th. This block likely came down when Dayton’s built the department store in 1963. On the left side of 7th were the Princess and Majestic Theaters. (David Kenney: Twin Cities Picture Show, MN HIst Soc Press, 2007)
Additional history courtesy Joyce Mellom.
The Gem, at 18 E. 7th St. operated from 1909-1923. The Alhambra, at 16. E. 7th St. operated from 1911-1932. Both were owned by William Hamm, who also owned the Blue Mouse at 20 E. 7th. This block likely came down when Dayton’s built the department store in 1963. On the left side of 7th were the Princess and Majestic Theaters. (David Kenney: Twin Cities Picture Show, MN HIst Soc Press, 2007)
1950 photo.
Below history courtesy Saint Paul Revisited.
Built in 1922 as a venue for silent movies and live entertainment
Renovated around 1933
Renovated again in 1950 including extensive changes to the exterior
Closed in July 1967
Used as warehouse – 1967 to 2001
Most recent renovation started in December 2001
Theatre reopened in October 2003
Building: 8,600 square feet and partial basement.
Originally had a 700-person seating capacity including the balcony. After the renovation, the seating capacity is approximately 250 with no balcony seating.
Reopened as North Garden Theater reception and event venue in 2017. News story, official website and Facebook page below.
http://www.citypages.com/arts/north-garden-theater-opens-in-st-pauls-expanding-west-seventh-neighborhood/448476423
https://www.northgardentheater.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pg/northgardentheater/photos/?ref=page_internal
Photo added courtesy Saint Paul Revisited Facebook page.
Update: Photo credit Lowell Beyer. Same as Flickr link in comments.
Still standing.
Smoky Mountain Trader is the current tenant.
Direct link to the Old Broadcast Equipment Page on Facebook. Scroll through 35 photos of the Hershey Theatre.
https://www.facebook.com/606358196047273/photos/pcb.2920552861294450/2920551104627959/?type=3&theater
October 1973 photo as Cine Lido added, photo credit David A. Isacowitz. Courtesy 70s/80s New York City Facebook page.
Photo added credit Keith Rieger Sr.
Facebook page for Bulldog Cinema.
https://www.facebook.com/Bulldog-Cinema-213041559258624/
Not sure where but this is not the Globe Theatre.
Ah, so the most recent five images in the gallery belong to the earlier Majestic at 231-233 Woodward. Do you want to just create a page for that one, and I’ll transfer the pics to there?
Paramount and other theatres in this link.
http://www.forgottenbuffalo.com/buffalospoloniahistory.html