Century Theatre

THE CENTURY HAD A BALCONY WHICH WAS HIDDEN BY A FALSE CEILING WHICH WAS PUT IN WHEN IT WAS CONVERTED TO A MOVIE HOUSE. IT DOES STILL STAND BUT I HAVE HEARD THAT PART OF THE ROOF HAS FALLEN IN SO THE CONDITION INSIDE IS UNKNOWN.

Mark,
According to this notice from May of 2003 on the city of Hamilton's website, the Century was supposed to be converted into lofts. I take it that didn't happen from your comment above.

YOU ARE CORRECT. THERE WERE/ARE PLANS TO CONVERT THE THEATER BUT IT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET. HAPPENED. MANY YEARS AGO, SOMEONE EVEN HAD A IDEA OF CONVERTING IT INTO A MUSIC HALL BUT THE COST AND THE INTEREST WAS NOT THERE. LIKE MANY OF HAMILTON'S OLD THEATERS THAT HAD STAGES IN THEIR EARLIER YEARS IT LOOKS AS IT'S FATE MIGHT BE THE SAME AS THE CAPITAL AND PALACE. MAKING ANOTHER PARKING LOT.

The Century is, in fact, being converted into condos. There was an article in the Hamilton Spectator about it this week. In fact they said that they were going back to revise the plans to make the units bigger than they had planned.
I definately remember going there when it was still a running theatre. I remember a friend of mine didn't like going there because she thought it was unsafe (the neighbourhood) but I loved it. I was so sad when it closed.

Does anyone have any pictutes of the inside of this theatre before it was changed into a movie theatre and the false ceiling installed?.

The Century started of as a vaudville theatre in the late 1800. it was converted to a movie house when the false ceiling was installed hiding the balcony.. I am doing some reserch on this theatre to get the exact dates. I remember going to see The Towering Inferno in the 70's and wondering what was above the ceiling since the building from the outside was so tall. I also recall there being drapes covering sections on either side of the theatre.. At the time I did not think to look behind them to see what was there. During the movie someone could be seen walking across the stage behind the screen . A small light was left on which could be seen through the screen while the novie was playing. mark

This theatre was called the LYRIC when it opened. Even today if you look at the top of the building you can read the words Lyric on the half round sign. Mark

The history of the Lyric/Century is contained in a 2001 city by-law to designate the building for the Ontario Heritage Foundation. You can read it at:
www.city.hamilton.on.ca/Clerk/by-laws/2001/01-225.pdf

Interesting to note that the Lyric/Century theatre was the largest in Hamilton with over 2000 seats when it opened in 1913 and the first in Canada with year round air conditioning when it was re-modeled in 1940.

This theatre is sooooooo kewl! I would love to see what the inside looks like now, and just before it closed in 1989...Anyone got any pictures to share...???

Trevor: The last time I was in the Century was in 1961 when I was in high school in Hamilton. I think I saw "Spartacus" there. The Century showed several long-run movies at that time.

The Century was quite plain inside. The back wall stuck out over the main floor which made me think there could have been a balcony at one time. The projection booth was along the back wall,likely in the front and centre of the old balcony.

The last time I was in Hamilton I was sad to see the Century sitting there in such a neglected state.

Trevor Clarke
If you or anyone eles would like to see what it looks inside the Century in Hamilton now, please contact me @ chadwirish@hotmail.com and I'll send you some photos. Thank you.

Here is a recent photo of the former Century theater.

Here is another one of the Century showing the complete outside. It was taken in May 2005:
[url=http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b189/mrchronoman/century.jpg]

I hope when its finally being torn down someone who lives in Hamilton can take some pictures to see what was covered up in the re-modelling.

Here's another link to the same photo I posted on photobucket:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theatrebuff/

The theatre/building still looks the same as it did when it was closed dowm many years ago. The idea of turning it into condos must have fallen thru. Every week I drive by this location to see if there is any activity (camera ready). WE can only hope.

Thanks for having the camera ready Hamiltonmark!

I haven't thought of the Century Theatre for years until I recently watched MARY POPPINS on dvd with my granddaughter.....I was an usher during the 1960 roadshow era at the CENTURY THEATRE..I remember well watching Mary Poppins daily for 6 months as well as THE SOUND OF MUSIC for a year...we really had a good time....the best of my late teens were spent at THE CENTURY....I would like to hear from any of the others I worked with...drop me a line at this website....
Alan Burt
Vancouver,BC

I've recently gained access to the Century Theatre.. which should officially be called the Lyric Theatre, as the facade sign says up top.

Inside, it's very, very plain. It's been mostly gutted. It's INCREDIBLY unsafe, there are rotting floors in the rear where the offices are located, with many holes in the roof.

It's very depressing to stand in the back area. Before the theatre was turned into a cinema, the auditorium was much, much bigger.. the new auditorium was built around the stage, leaving an empty area in the back.. complete with trapdoors into the basement.

There are massive holes in the roof, and the balcony that one overlooked the rear of the stage lies in ruins as part of the roof collapsed, crushing the balcony. It is very, very unsafe up there.

All in all, it was an awesome experience. The Lyric Theature shows signs of both old vauldeville, and new cinema. It's very depressing.. but worth the trip.

Hello Bryan. Any pictures? Mark

Mark,
I'll be returning to the Lyric this weekend. When I was there, I was shooting for my portfolio, and didn't take any picutres that distinguish Lyric for what it is.. a theatre.
So, I'll be making a tour of photographs this time around.. you'll see them in the week!

Bryan: Be careful going through that side door in the alley...I park my car there everyday before going to work and see quite the "crowd" going in and out of there...BUT if you do get PICS please forward them to me....Thanks...Trevor...:-)

I have a photo taken on February 11th, 2007.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e208/MsMoneyPenny/TheCenturyTheater.jpg
I love this building.

The Lyric is my favourite theater in this city. Over the past 3 months, I'v been in and out of there. The plans to convert that theater into lofts are there, but they have been floating around for about 7 years. Before that idea, they wanted to convert it into a club, which is why all the seats were removed. The balcony is still standing. Its directly above the false ceiling which is plaster. The roof of the building had collapsed into the balcony, and still sits there today. I'v crawled through the that area, under the roof. Its very depressing to see it like that. Such a beautiful building. The lofts idea was only to use part of the building. The owner wanted to keep the front foyer, convert in, and then tear the rest of the building down.

Follow this link to my photobucket gallery for The Century. The pics are decent, but I have better. Enjoy
http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b172/TheSaltMan/Lyric%20Theater/

Mike: Gotta a better link? All that one brings me to is a login page. Without a password it is useless....

Sorry about that. I did some account upgrading, and I made it publically viewable. It was private last time. So yes, just follow the link again and it should work. If not, just tell me again!

http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b172/TheSaltMan/Lyric%20Theater/

Mike. Thanks for the pictures. From what I can recall of this theatre from the 70's it's present state looks rather depressing. It's hard to imagin what this theatre would have looked like pre conversion days. I am glad that you were able to capture one of the images on the auditorium walls. I think there were three on either side but they were covered by red drapes when I went to the movies during the 70's.
One question though, if you looked towards the front of the auditorium, was there a wall where the screen was or was one added after the seats were removed?
From outside, it's is still a impressive building.
Thanks again for the pictures, Mark

You are very welcome for the photos. I have plenty of photos of the interior condition of this theater as I have been there many times recently. Mark, you are right. The design on the wall of auditorium does have three on each side, except now they are not covered by red drapes. As for your question, Mark, The wall at the back of the stage would have been there with the screen. When this theater was converted into a movie house, they moved the entire stage up. They put up that wall to block off the back of the building where the Lyric stage would have been. It sits empty now with trap doors to the basement and I ladder to the east offices. There are also two basement accesses back stage and the door that now leads to the alley way. If anyone has any questions of the current state, feel free to ask.

Mike. Just logged on to this site and looked at your upgraded pictures posted on March 3. The photo's of the balcony and the view of the stage from the projectors booth are great.
Those curtains that are hanging I believe are not from when the theare closed. I believe they were red but I could be wrong.
Thanks again, Mark.

Mike:
Great work!
It will be nice to have these photos as a record of the Century once it is demolished. Do you have any photos of the projection booth?

Yes, the perfect things for memories are photographs and artifacts. I do indeed have some shots of the projection room. Follow this link and you'll be greeted to a few. http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b172/TheSaltMan/Lyric%20Theater%20Projection%20Room/
-Mike

Mike:

Thanks again!
I was looking at the projectionist list photo and at the bottom is a phone number for the union at the Palace Theatre.
Thats because the projectionist at the Palace at that time (around 1960) was Hugh Usher.... who was also the President of the union local.

hello, I can't tell you how delighted I was to stumble upon this website. My father (Verdun Marriott) ran the Century Theatre for many years. Some of the people you mentioned were friends of his. I virtually grew up around theatres specifically the Century and all of our family worked there over the years. My dad moved to Famous Players Head Office later on but the Century was always his favourite. He was well liked by the community whether it be reporters from the Spectator, the nuns that he bused in to see Sound of Music, movie stars, politicians or the same bunch that came in every Sunday...everyone was treated special at that theatre. The matron there on Saturdays and Sundays was named Mrs. Evangeline Wade, the best lady you could ever meet. She used to watch us when my mother had to look after my brother who was frequently ill. I remember watching movies in the projection booth or through the trap door window in the manager's office. The backstage rooms are old dressing rooms from the days of vaudiville. I found newspapers from the world wars in there. The coal bins were there too. I have original furniture and ashtrays from there. My name is written on the wall in the lobby. Originally it was hidden by a hinged poster board and a drape. I have programs and posters that were my dad's as well. We used to go through a trap door in the second floor ceiling. We went above the suspended ceiling on catwalks and saw your balconies. I heard them called opera boxes as well. Also the drapes were indeed orginally red velvet. Did you know that the Century is haunted? There is also the true story of the vaudiville actor who killed his wife and her lover backstage and I heard a version where he then killed himself but someone has since told me that he was convicted and hung at Barton Street Jail. I have often thought of the Century. I ran it for awhile while I was in University at McMaster. I went by there about ten or so years ago and the door was open. The person there allowed me to go up into my dad's old office. It was then that he gave me one of the orginal black glass ashtrays and a rubber stamp bearing the Century's theatre number. I remember the phone number 527-7861 or ja-77861. Pretty good huh? I may know you Mike16. Anyway you can write to me at mmarriott@mountaincable.net Skye

For Al Burt: I remember your name. You knew my dad and my bothers Doug and Mike Marriott. Mary Poppins was the first picture I think I saw there. Do you remember Mrs. Wade, Charlie Jarvis, Loretta Stremble, Arlene Belleck, Mike Hogan?

PPS: The Century had only 705 seats when iot closed. It was refurbished in 1964 or 1965 and it wa then that they eliminated some seating. They still had reserve seating for some special attraction too. The ticket bos was right behind the cashier in the "new box office" The old box office was outside and glassed in. My God the memories!

Thank you very much for posting all that information, Skye. I wish I could see what the theatre looked like before it closed. See what you had seen so many times. I've explored the theatre many times myself since 2005, many of those times with Bryan and Mike who also posted pictures and information here. The theatre holds a special place with me as well, and I've only seen it in it's depressing form.

With all that said, the building is nearly a death trap now. The front office area is completely unsafe to traverse. The wooden floors are rotted right through. Both my feet fell through the floor, and I was saved by a support beam that I fell onto. Bryan was unlucky enough to completely fall right through the front offices, to the floor below. If you do go into the theatre, BE CAREFUL.

Oh, and here's a picture I took this past week of the Century. Still the same as always...

http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k201/sugarton/UE/Hamilton-UE/?action=view¤t=IMG_0219copy.jpg

On my recent visit the downtown BIA, I was infomed that the plans for the property of the Lyric are still underway. They are awaiting for a parking permit which will house a multi-level parkade right across the street. This will also be used for parking for the police station. According to the BIA, and the blueprints, the Lyric itself will be eliminated, keeping only the facade. Plans are still underway for the property to be condos, scheduled for 2008-2010. Kind of sad, but with the condition of that building, makes a lot of sense.

It does. It's just too far gone to be saved. I think, even at the time of closure the building wasn't doing all that great. Lots of repairs would have had to be made right then to preserve it.

The roof has been caved in for many years now. Probably only 5-10 years after it was abandoned.

After visiting the Hamilton Library,I found out that The original ceiling was removed when the false ceiling was put in. There were also four chandellers that were also removed. Unfortunatly, there are no pictures on file of the inside of the Lyric/Century before the conversion. Mark

Hi Skye,
I've been trying to contact former employees of the Century Theatre.
Please contact me at alburt@shaw.ca
Regards,
Al Burt

I have only one image of the Lyric Theatre (1912-1940) interior and that is a bad photocopy from a microfilm of the Hamilton Herald Newspaper article - a Christmas concert for orphans from the 1913 taken from the stage and showing the auditorium with its large sweeping balcony.. I will see if I can dig it up again...

The Marx Brothers played the Century in a stage show in 1924 BTW...

Also backstage on the paint frame back in 1990, I found a poster saying "LYRIC THEATRE HIGHCLASS KIETH/ALBEE VAUDEVILLE".. The back of it had been used to mix paint for backdrops...

I also have a blueprint I found in the office on the second floor showing the 1954 renovations where the Lyric's original ceiling was removed and the current flat roof was installed... Sprachman was the architect I recall

There are still elements of the Lyric auditorium left on the side walls at the back and parts of the original pros arch plaster work are a groove between the current ceiling and the fly gallery.

It was renamed Century in 1940 when bough by 20th Century Theatres They built a smaller one level cinema within the shell of the old 2000 seat vaudeville palace...

After logging into Google Earth, you can see the section of the roof that has caved in. It is the front section where the office were and where the balcony was. The rest of the roof appears to be intact for the time being(of coarse).

Yes I have done this with google maps myself... The part of the roof on the westside of the structure that has caved in is the last bit of the original 1912 roof... The part that was not replaced in 1954.

Ironically the most intact and important historical parts of the Century theatre are the backstage areas of the 1912 Lyric vaudeville palace which were left just as storage after the proscenium arch was bricked up in 1940... The grid, the hemp fly gallary and the original dressing rooms, and a huge paint frame used to paint scenic drops are still intact in the east end of the building...

This is another photo of the Century Theater.

If anyone else gets into this theatre again would they please grab some pictures of the former backstage area on the east side of the building? Particularly the paint frame and the fly gallary/railings

You may have to brings some lights with you - this area likely doesn't have any illumination at all...

Thanks

Here is another recent exterior view of the Lyric/Century.

Here is a photo I took in the area behind the stage today. It was my first time going back into Lyric for awhile. The place is even more of a death trap than it was before, but I still love it.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k201/sugarton/UE/lyric.jpg

The history in this place is so rich. I wish I could have seen the place 20 years ago.

Thanks very much for this image... Did you take others from the opposite angle? The most intact and historic parts of the Lyric are the backstage areas ironically, everything else was gutted in the 1940's.

Looks like someone has left the hatch open in the grid... That's the natural light you are seeing. To prevent more damage hopefully that can be closed by someone.

The fly gallery is the opposite side of the stage - two flights of stairs, first one runs up to what is called the "pin rail", the next flight of stairs leads up to the "grid".... The catwalk that runs across the back of the stage is called a "paint-frame", because it was used to paint soft backdrops, which was the majority of the scenery required in those early days...

I would be grateful for photos of all of these features, next time someone gets in there.

BTW You were standing in the very spot were in September 1919, the Marx Brothers were performing in a play called N'EVERYTHING.

I have B&W images of my own from 1990, but they are grainy and out of focus.

Particleman if you would be kind enough to email me privately about using some of your photos in the research I am doing on the building.. Thanks!

With the resent collaping of a building in the Lister Block ( not the Lister building) a short distance away from this theatre, time only knows if this could happen to this theatre. The roof collaped on a historic but vacant building causing a chain reaction floor by floor. The building was torn down this past week. With the roof on the front half of the Century theatre already collaped,this could happen as well. DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT is common in Hamilton when buildings are left to rot. The auditorium of what's left of the Tivoli could be next as well. Mark

Mark: I am much more hopeful about the Tivoli. It is a newer building, (built in 1924). Also the present owners the Canadian Youth Ballet intend to restore it as a theatre, see their website here. http://www.cbye.ca/ccampaign.htm Other then some water damage to the plaster on the SR side of the auditorium the Tivoli theatre is in good shape. It just needs the front of the building replaced in order to re-open again.
The Century, though much of its historic fabric was gutted in 1940, is historically a much more interesting building. As the centre of Kieth-Albee Vaudeville in Hamilton, many noted performers graced its stage, eg The Marx Brothers in Sept. 1919. Its stage was constructed for legitamante tehatre, and it was home to sveral "stock" companies who produced plays.

The damage to the Century BTW is only to the first 20 feet of the building, and was the only part of the roof not replaced in renovations in 1955 - I have a copy of the blueprint for this renovation. I have also been in this space myself so I know exactly what I am talking about. Clearly there has been water damage to the lobby area and the former rooming/boarding house on the third floor is obviously uninhabitable, but these areas of the building had been abandoned even when Famous Players was still using it as a movie house. What is dooming the Century is not the damage to the building, rather a lack of any will to save it. The current owners just see it as a location for potential development, and are waiting for someone to come along and offer them money for the property. If holding onto it becomes to expensive, they will likely demolish it.

One last comment for today.. The balcony of the Lyric was removed in 1940, and the fire exits were bricked up. You can still see this today on both sides of the building - the line of the original balcony, which clearly goes below what is the 1940's cinema roof line. Again this is clearer on the blueprints.

In 1990 before the collapse, (which I am guessing happened within the last 5 years), only the very back of the balcony, what would have been called the mezzanine, was still there, there was part of what looked like a railing, with some steps, and there were the side walls of the Lyric with gold paint and stenciled decor. There was also a rickety wooden ladder that went up about 25 feet into a giant round air conditioning duct/intake. This led to a hatch that came out on the roof.

I have ascended that ladder up into the space above the 1940's cinema. You get a view of the collapsed roof which fell on what is left of the balcony. It's worth the scary climb.

The parts of the building that are in worst condition are the front and rear offices. In both areas, the floors have completely rotted right through. The floors of the 2nd floor on top of the lobby are completely collapsed through now (no ceiling to the lobby any more).

Brian, I wasn't able to find your e-mail on here. If you'd like to contact me at sugarton at gmail.com feel free to do so.

Brian. I checked out the web site for the present owners but I did not find any information about what they are doing to prevent any further damage to the Tivoli auditorium such as a new roof which is desperatly needed from what I understand or keeping it secure from people entering it without permision.(if you know what I mean.)
One last comment, it is funny that the only part of the Century that is protected is the front part of the theatre and compared to the rest of the building it is in the worst of shape.Mark.

Mark:

The roof of the Tivoli's auditorium is ok as far as I know. It was in very good shape back in 1991 - 1992 anyway when I worked in the building, and I have no reason to believe that it has deteriorated much since then.

Most of the urban spelunkers take only pictures, so even on that score I think the TIV is ok, although I agree it would be better if the building had more regular security.

The question is can the Ballet raise the $10 million. Scuttlebutt says they are in the middle of a feasibility study in order to secure provincial and federal grant money for a restoration. I hope that they get it!

The Century sadly has no such allies.. and has been empty and unheated since Sept 1989. WE made a proposal to the owners in 1991, but they went with a group that wanted to open a night club.. Sadly this never opened.

I remember specifically which movies i saw at the Century, since it was the exception when we didn't see something at the Tivoli. SUPERMAN in '78, THE BLACK HOLE in '79, and the last movie was TUCKER: THE MAN AND HIS DREAM in '88.

I work in film and television post-production now and one of my fondest dreams would be to buy this theatre and renovate it into a post production house.

My friend and I were checking this out a few weeks back. However we did not go inside as we were unsure of the best entranceway (weary of the neighbouring Police Station) For those of you who have been inside do you have any suggestions for access points? When would be the best time to go? Is there a high risk of being caught?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers.

The risk isn't so much being caught, but rather of personal injury once you get in. The wooden floors near the entrance are rotted through and you're likely to fall through (as I have done before). Anyway look in the back by the fence, that's all I can say. I'd suggest going in the day so you get the most ambient light.

Anyway if you get in, be VERY careful and make sure to walk on the supports where possible. Take it slowly and listen to the floor. Take a cell phone as well.

The Regent Theatre in Toronto (ex Belsize, ex-Crest) http://cinematreasures.org/theater/7574/ has found life again as a post production house. They mix dolby sound during the day and it still shows movies at night which is a win win situation.It might be a viable opportunity to save the building - or as studio space for a film shoots - lost of square footage.

The building needs to be stabilized though. A new roof (at least at the front), and interior demolition of the front part of the building (2nd and 3rd floors) just to get the doors open again..

BTW last week I saw the images of the 1944 Century Interior at the Ontario Archives, those swirling designs on the side walls were clearly there, they must have been commissioned by Kaplan and Sprachman who did the renovation in 1940.

Be very careful urban spelunkers.. No trespassing signs everywhere, and police station across the street. No power in the building at present either. (No one to hear you scream in the dark - Hey I saw ALIEN at the Century in 1978 - It was the first restricted movie I ever saw - I was 15 at the time, but looked older)...

However, if you do get in, please take lots of pictures of the backstage area and post them somewhere for me.. :-)

I wandered around the outside last weekend myself and took about 50 pictures of the exterior from every angle. Once I find a place to post them I will share them..

I can remember standing in line to see movies at this theatre (and many others) when the line would stetch down Mary Street and around the corner down King William Street. You don't stand outside in a line these days to see a movie.
It also did not matter what the weather was like either. Mark.

At last I've confirmed a story I've long heard about the Lyric Theatre.

There was indeed a murder committed backstage. From the Hamilton Herald November 26, 1921

JEALOUS MAN'S RAGE ENDS IN FATAL SHOOTING - Harry Grubb, actor shot and probably fatally injured Miss Cecilia Bartley, Actress - Turned Gun on Self - He died shortly after - Both were members of Act at the Lyric.

To paraphrase the rest. Harry Grubb, 45 of NYC and Miss Cecilia Bartley, 21 of Chicago were both in a musical comedy act called "Under The Apple Tree".. He shot her at the stage door, and then marched on stage where the afternoon matinee was in progress and in view of the audience, shot himself twice in the chest killing himself instantly. Miss Bartley was taken to the City (general) Hospital in grave condition, (bullets in chest and head) and was not expected to survive. I need to check out the microfilm newspapers for more details.. Will post more when I get more details...

That was a bit chilling to read. I'll be thinking about that next time I'm standing backstage.

Well good news...

Some errors in what I posted above...

Looks like Miss Cecelia Bartley lived after all.. At least she was still alive three weeks later after the shooting... So it was just a suicide.. Also the gunman was Jack Grubb, 45 of Baltimore, who was the UNDER THE APPLE TREE'S scenic carpenter. There were quite a few murders in Hamilton that month, (including a mobster found on Ridge Road in Stoney Creek)... I was surprised at the lack of coverage

Lastly the shooting happened at 5:40 pm on Friday November 25th, which was between Evening and Matinee performances.. The only person in the audience was an usher, who quickly summoned police from Central Station which was less then a block away... The star of the play was Loring Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loring_Smith who later had quite a successful career..

This is a September 2008 photo.

well...talk about syncronicity...while researching the CENTURYTHEATRE
in hamilton...I came across my grandmother's(mrs.evangeline wade)name
and yes she was indeed one of the wonders of the world...I grew up in
hamilton and for the first five years of my life we lived with my great-grandmother(moma) and my most beloved grand-mother(muna) or
mrs. evangeline weade to you...I remember your father mr. marriot as
a really kind and gentle...gentlman...he was very good to my grand-mother and for this I will alway's be graitful...I spent many...many hours in the theater while growing up and watched some of the wonderful films that helped turn me into the artist/filmofile I am today...I attended sir john a macdonald secondary school and came to visit my grandmother at the theater after school on my way home...sometimes just to talk...and sometimes to watch the same movies over and over again from every seat ...camera room...etc...
you may not know this but my grandmothers husband...they had been seperated many years...mr. wade was originally from the U.S.A and was a vaudvillian...I have applied to do an exhibition at hamilton artists inc.(don't know if I have it yet) and my theme is ...THE CENTURY...is'nt life interesting...jan wade...artist...vancouver bc...soultonepoem@yahoo.ca

There's a rumor that the owner of the Century has applied for all the necessary permits to turn the Century into residential units. This is all I know for now, will pass along more info as I find it.

I walk past the Century almost every day when I go to the supermarket and last night there was a white van parked outside with ladders on top it. The van didn't look official or anything and the door on the left of the Century's front entrance was open but it was too dark. You couldn’t see anything without a flashlight and I don’t think anyone would go in there at that time of night. Maybe homeless people were crashing there?

1982 Photo of the Century Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=123&CategoryID=3281&Category2ID=3224&List=1&SortField=ProductName%2cProductName&Level=2&ProductID=36719

Well looks like the long history of the Century / Lyric is about to come to an end soon. The construction / demolition permits have reportedly been issued... Soon nothing will remain but the exterior walls. Well it almost made it 100 before its end... shame that Hamilton cares so little about its history to see a grand old dame like this left to rot for 20 years.

A classic case of demolition by neglect and the Ontario Heritage designation of its 1940 interior has made no difference whatsoever as far as I can see...

Yes, what a shame eh! Still can't believe that they let the Capitol and Palace go either. Just think of what beautiful show houses they would be now like the Canon and Elgin are in Toronto. They could have complimented the new and modern Hamilton Place. Oh well, some cities don't seem to care about such things. tsk tsk.