Square Theatre

Thanks again site manager for adding the zip code. I was getting a little worried for a second or two, but I knew you would come through …. I think the only areas where you need to obtain more direct contact concern such things as adding or changig a picture at the intro or reconfigurating the google map.

Actually, I have found the Site Administrators to be quite responsive to the requests I had previously made in the comment section – particularly with regard to providing a street address, zip code or the name of the architect. I guess it just depends on how you ask them. So, along these lines, Site Administrator, please add the 11102 zip code.

A very interesting thread about a very historic theater …. I look forward to visiting this place when I have the opportunity … Newtown Avenue was, in its day, one of the most important roads in this vicinity, and the Square Theatre was certainly situated in what, at one time, had been the center of a newly developing commuity …. Thanks TOMBOCHI for re-starting this thread … if it had not been for your comment, I would not have known that this theater ever existed … I hope the Site Administrator will add the 11102 zip code to the title, since it would make this page far more accessible … Just a hint.

Hi All, I just found this site and I lived at 21-26 Newtown Ave from 1951 – 1972 and went to that theatre all the time as a kid and the most I can remember was it was tiny but the ceilings were high. It was called the Square at that time or the rat hole or roach trap but it was so wonderful to have.

The Meriden opened even earlier than 1910. This ad appeared in the Daily Star’s issue of August 24th, 1909. The Meriden was apparently Astoria’s first purpose-built cinema, but I’m sure that movies were shown in Astoria before that in other types of venues such as playhouses and beer gardens:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/meriden82409.jpg

Here are front and back views of the theatre in current use as an auto repair shop. The second story windows in the rear may have originally belonged to dressing rooms:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/120-2093_IMG.jpg
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/121-2102_IMG.jpg

Hardbop, the next time you’re jogging by, stop and ask the manager to show you the interior. He told me by phone that some of the original theatre decor is still there.

Sometimes your memory plays tricks on you. When I was growing up in Ridgewood, I lived across the street from a movie theater that was already closed down. I saw this theater everyday. As a kid I played under the marquee and I played handball on the side wall of the theater (it was located on a corner). I could not remember the name of that theater until some people on here told me its name. The name of the theater was the Majestic.

I looked at the photos that Warren sent me (Thanks Warren). The moving co. building appears much larger than the auto repair shop. The moving co. building is three stories tall and the auto repair is a one story building. Looks can be deceiving. If you read those real estate reports, you will see that both buildings are 25 ft wide. The moving co building is only 81 ft deep as opposed to the auto repair building which is 142 feet deep. 81 feet seems rather small for a 500 seat theater.

As for the “small rectangular windows”, the moving co building has four fairly large windows on both the second and third floors, similar to the windows in an old apartment. The auto repair has no windows in the front, but in one of the photos you can see what appears to be three small rectangular windows on the rear of the building. The front of the building might have had the same small windows and they were removed at some point. Maybe it would be easier for you if you looked at the photos yourself Barbara.

That building is what was once known as a “bonded storage warehouse.” I don’t know if that term is still used, but there were (and still are) quite a few of such buildings in factory areas like Long Island City, which includes Astoria. The Meriden was definitely the current repair garage. It was built circa 1910-12 as a plain nickelodeon, not a full-fledged theatre with facilties for stage productions.

Its too bad that you didn’t post that old address sooner, it would have saved me alot of work. If this theater actually had 16 Newton Ave. as its original address then the address above is correct and the auto repair shop occupies this former theater.
Today, there is a 21-12 Newtown (moving co.), 21-14 (an office building of some sort) and 21-20 (auto repair). There is no 21-16 or 21-18 Newtown Ave.
In the old address system, 12 Newtown would be the moving co. 14 Newtown would be the office building and 16 Newtown is the theater/auto repair. The auto repair and/or the office building span multiple lots and that is why there are missing addresses.

Thank you Warren. I just called my mom about this, and she is not completely sure which building the theatre was in. She did say it was extrememly small, and that you felt as though you could almost touch the walls on either side. She is going to ask around and let me know if anyone else remembers for sure.

Thanks LM. I’ll talk with Mom again later and ask her how many stories the theatre was.