Cattaraugus County Center For the Performing Arts
10 Main Street,
Salamanca,
NY
14779
10 Main Street,
Salamanca,
NY
14779
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Any interior photos?
Now thats quite a long name for a theatre.
From Salamanca a 1950s photo postcard that captured a partial view of the Seneca Theatre.
Here are two more 1987 photos:
Photo1
Photo2
This was the Seneca in 1987.
Here is a recent photo of the Seneca Theater.
P.S. Naylor also describes the Seneca’s original style as “late Art Deco.”
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.
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!
Ray Evans, the songwriter of such enduring standards as “Mona Lisaâ€, “Silver Bellsâ€, “Que Sera, Sera†and “Buttons and Bows,†was born in Salamanca, New York on February 4, 1915.
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This theatre was also known as the Ray Evans Theatre as he was Salamanca and wrote Silver Bells.
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.
Patsy: I’ve only been to Cattaraugus a couple of times in my life so I dont know when they ended. Sorry
David Chapman: Thanks for your memories. Do you know when the theatre days ended in Cattaraugus?
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.
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?
This theatre is less than 50 miles from the Reg Lenna Theatre in Jamestown NY and the Reg is listed on this theatre website.
The correct spelling is Cattaraugus County, not Cattaragus County. The theatre is also now sometimes known as the Cattaraugus County Living Arts Center.
The Seneca Theatre is located at 10 Main Street and it seated 1272 people when it was a movie theatre.