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Also known as Seneca Theatre, Ray Evans Seneca Theatre

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Cattaraugus County Center For the Performing Arts

Salamanca, NY

10 Main Street

, Salamanca, NY 14779 United States

(map)

Status:	Open
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Art Deco

Function:	Performing Arts
Seats:	1272
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	John Eberson, Drew Eberson
Firm:	Unknown

Located in Salamanca, N.Y. the theatre was originally called the Seneca Theatre and built by the Schine Chain to replace an aging venue a couple of blocks up the street. Construction was started in 1941 just before the outbreak of WWII. Because of a shortage of building materials caused by the war, construction was not completed until 1945 after the war ended.

The theatre was called the Seneca after the Indian nation which owns the underlying ground. The entire city of Salamanca is located on the Seneca Indian reservation (I believe it is the only city in the US so located on an Indian reservation). The land is ground-leased from the Senecas and everyone in the town pays an annual Indian rent.

The theatre lobby featured many sculptures in crevices on the walls. It was operated by the Schine Chain until the mid-1960's. The theatre continued to show movies until June of 1972 when the auditorium ended up under eight feet of water in the flooding which accompanied Hurricane Agnes.

The Seneca Theatre sat abandoned until the early 1980's when Cattaragus County acquired the building. Over the next several years the theatre was slowly renovated and transformed into the Cattaragus County Center For The Performing Arts. It is now primarily used for local live theatre and travelling acts.

Contributed by Jonathan M. Crist

YOUR COMMENTS

The Seneca Theatre is located at 10 Main Street and it seated 1272 people when it was a movie theatre.

posted by William on Jan 16, 2004 at 8:57am

The correct spelling is Cattaraugus County, not Cattaragus County. The theatre is also now sometimes known as the Cattaraugus County Living Arts Center.

posted by Muviebuf on Jan 16, 2004 at 10:01am

This theatre is less than 50 miles from the Reg Lenna Theatre in Jamestown NY and the Reg is listed on this theatre website.

posted by Patsy on Dec 14, 2004 at 6:04pm

I've just been told that in Cattaraugus New York there was a Cattaraugus Theatre. This theatre is listed on Cinema Tour as being closed. Does anyone have any additional information?

posted by Patsy on Nov 10, 2005 at 11:19am

My grandfather Alden Lundergan was the projectionist until I believe 1969. I remember him taking me upstairs to the booth sometimes when he worked. Dolores Rettburg was the lady in the ticket window inside. Those days seem so far away.

posted by David Chapman on Mar 6, 2006 at 9:31pm

David Chapman: Thanks for your memories. Do you know when the theatre days ended in Cattaraugus?

posted by Patsy on Mar 7, 2006 at 4:25am

Patsy: I've only been to Cattaraugus a couple of times in my life so I dont know when they ended. Sorry

posted by David Chapman on Mar 8, 2006 at 8:52pm

On Cinema Tour this theatre is listed and the architects are mentioned as being John Eberson AND Drew Eberson. Can anyone verify this? Also on Cinema Tour it lists the theatre as seating 1150 and built in 1942. Also on Cinema Tour a Cattaraugus Theatre in listed in Cattaraugus NY (14 Washington) that is now closed.

posted by Patsy on Nov 11, 2006 at 4:32pm

This theatre was also known as the Ray Evans Theatre as he was Salamanca and wrote Silver Bells.

posted by Patsy on Nov 11, 2006 at 4:35pm

Ray Evans, the songwriter of such enduring standards as “Mona Lisa”, “Silver Bells”, “Que Sera, Sera” and “Buttons and Bows,” was born in Salamanca, New York on February 4, 1915.

http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibit_home_page.asp?exhibitId=218

posted by Patsy on Nov 11, 2006 at 4:39pm

Patsy: Later in his life and practice, father and son often joined forces to work on projects. There are quite a few theaters that list both John and Drew as the architects of record.

I have visited it as it was part of the Schine Theater Chain and it really is a lovely little place. It has been quite altered inside due to a couple of floodings and to create more servicable areas to meet the theaters needs. But the facade and marquee are still quite nice and they have started a "Walk of Fame" in front of the theater. Of course Ray Evans is the first and biggest star!

posted by SchineHistorian on Nov 12, 2006 at 3:41pm

Since 11/06, posters have identified John and Drew Eberson as architects, but the introduction still says "unknown." Why? David Naylor claims the Ebersons in his book, ""Great American Movie Theaters. Naylor also says that for the reopening as the Cattargus County Arts Center, "the Seneca interior has been adapted to include a 650-seat playhouse, art galleries, a dance studio and meeting rooms." Since Naylor's book was published in 1987, that configuration might no longer be true.

posted by Warren G. Harris on Jul 22, 2007 at 8:35am

P.S. Naylor also describes the Seneca's original style as "late Art Deco."

posted by Warren G. Harris on Jul 22, 2007 at 8:37am

Here is a recent photo of the Seneca Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 11, 2008 at 4:21pm

This was the Seneca in 1987.

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 16, 2009 at 12:02pm

Here are two more 1987 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 26, 2009 at 9:42am

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