Latonia Theater
1 E. First Street,
Oil City,
PA
16301
1 E. First Street,
Oil City,
PA
16301
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 67 comments
thelatonia: Good to read this latest update…keep them comin' and we’ll try to make a trip to Oil City on July 19.
ken mc: A big thanks for posting the vintage Latonia b/w photo with the original marquee as I’ve been wanting to see that marquee ever ever since visiting the Latonia several weeks ago. Where did you find the photo?
Work continues at the Latonia along with much fun. Every Tuesday evening 6:30 to 9 pm, we’re having very informal Accoutic Jams. The greatest hidden treasure of the building is the sound in the Ballroom. Come “hear the room”.
Tours of the building will be conducted during Oil Heritage week – Thursday July 19, 6 – 8pm. We’ll share what we have learned about the building, show what has been done in the last few months, and share our vision for the future.
Hope to see some of you there.
Linda and Rox
Here is an older photo:
http://tinyurl.com/29f3ps
Indiana – we do know where the panel is for the chandelier and have had it lit up, though more than half the light bulbs are apparently burnt out. We would like to have an expert look at it soon.
Our days are spinning by quickly with continued visits and calls. Now that nearly all the clutter and depris are gone, years of dust remains – a seemingly endless task. Meanwhile, a new store will be opening this month on the first floor, joining the four current businesses we are fortunate to have at the Latonia.
The next week or so, we’ll be removing old carpet along the edges of the ballroom and the mezzanine area in preparation for new carpet. We already have several events booked for the ballroom and have several others interested. So, we have great motivation to stay on target for a September opening. Details, details, details….
Patsy – Rox will be in touch. As the full time manager, she has been working non-stop.
Thank you all for your interest. I hope you enjoy Mike’s pics.
Linda
Hello All, Linda’s brother Mike here. It’s great to see all the interest in the theater shown in this thread! Indiana, I understand what you’re talking about, regarding “unauthorized exploration”. Of course, you must realize, it’s difficult to distinguish “friendly” explorers from vandals sometimes.
Anyway, I’ve been documenting the Latonia, among a few other theaters, for a few months now. I’ve put a bunch of the Latonia pics online for everyone to view, if you’re interested. You can see them here. Enjoy!
The projector room was in the upper balcony area where we were cleaning. There wasn’t any light in that room so I didn’t get to see much except the outline of a flood light machine, not a vintage projector. I suppose after we left someone was able to clean that area.
I have no idea where those were at. The one for the Chandelier itself was probably back in the projector room if anyone was lucky enough to see that huge thing.
After reading about the chandelier prior to arriving at the Latonia it was a special moment when I entered the former auditorium and….looked up! It would have really been special if it had been lighted when I saw it for the very first time. And since the auditorium was divided by that cement floor the end of the chandelier was closer than it would have been high above the main floor and seats in those ‘glory days’.
When I was there I think Rox and/or Linda mentioned their desire to restore and light the chandelier since most of it is still intact! And no, I don’t do residential cleaning…only theaters! LOL! Indiana: Where was the chandelier switch?
Only the lights over it do, but I could not find the switch for those. The lights in the chandelier itself has probably been all burned out and/or are too old to function.
Lost Memory: Thanks so much for finding and posting the above article with photo which shows that chandelier and the current owners.
That is a nice picture of the inside. Very lit up. Though I am wondering were that light switch was to turn on the over-chandelier lights. We all had a tough time finding that one. Anyway it looks nice, and it would be awesome to see it in the near futurebefore or after all progress has been completed.
Indiana: Miracles do happen so with current owner dedication and TLC this theatre will be used for community gatherings after witnessing, firsthand, a group clean-up effort. After seeing the Latonia, in person, I am amazed that all or most of the EXIT signs still remain and that the unique chandelier still hangs from the ceiling after so many years. Rox and Linda, keep us posted on when you are able to light the chandelier in all of its former glory! Also, when you have taken down that partition wall in the balcony area along with relocating the gift shop in the former lobby area. Congratulations upon your purchase and gallant efforts..the soul of the Latonia thanks you as do we.
Glad to see something was done to it. Though even if I had found out I probably would have been shunned away because I was one of those teens who was exploring the place recently hehe. A very large and old place it is and it may take a long while to fix it up to its former glory.
An update about the Bring your own broom day: Big thanks to all volunteers – Patsy, you and Bill are wonderful. By the end of the day, more than 30 people – old friends and new – helped. Other than this site, it was not publicized – just word of mouth and private invitation. The job was huge. Most impressive is that the momentum continued through the week. Anyone present Saturday would be impressed to see the building one week later – nearly all the junk is gone. We are so very pleased. Truman – Rox will be in touch. We are looking forward to learning more from you and hope to hear from many more people who remember past Latonia days. We have entered a new era for the Latonia. It is magic. Stay tuned for further news. Linda and Rox
I just sent Roxanne an email to let her know of your recent May 24, 2007 post and Latonia knowledge with photos as we’d all love to see the marquee or one like it. Thanks so very much.
Truman: My email address is located on my profile page so if you want to email me I can provide you with Roxanne’s email address. Please title your email LATONIA so I will not accidentally delete it.
Hi: I would be happy to communicate with Roxanne, but I would need an email address or a physical address.
The marquee was in the style of the era, rather art deco. Rectangular in shape and stuck out over the sidewalk, over all of the entrances. I think I might be able to locate a picture of it, but it might take me a while. It is in a scrap book in Pittsburgh, but if you like I can try. But, I think I can get you a copy of a picture of a similar marquee.
From the pictures I have seen of the exterior, there is now a branch bank located in a small shop on the right. This was a barber shop in my era. On the wall on Central Avenue were cases for one sheeters. I am sure the holes are still in the bricks.
Questions?
Truman
Never been to Oil City. Sounds like a fun place, though.
Truman: What can you tell us about the marquee? Correction: The theatre was cut horizonally with a cement floor above the original main floor level so now when you enter the theatre you are much closer to the top of the stage opening and chandelier as it hangs above your head. It is a miracle that this chandelier is still in the theatre though it needs to be cleaned, replace missing panels and lighted with new wiring.
Truman: You must contact Roxanne at the Latonia as she would love to hear your stories!! As you may or may not know, the Latonia was cut in half, vertically when a furniture store entered the picture, but Roxanne has great plans for the Latonia in the near future despite what previous owners chose to do in ‘72 after the theatre closed for the last time in '69 with the Sound of Music. She being an historian she has done much research and is willing to learn more about this grand theatre.
I am delighted to see something will happen with the Latonia Theatre! Born in Oil City and lived there until the age of 12, the Latonia was part of my life. As a matter of fact I am probably one of the last living people (long in the tooth here), that performed on the stage of the Latonia. It was March 1947, some sort of talent show on a Saturday morning followed by a series of cartoons. I sang Zip-A-Dee-doo-dah from Song of the south. As I recall it was broadcast live on the local radio station too.
Also recall seeing Tex Ritter on his horse on the stage of the Latonia. I could go on for pages of remembrances of the Latonia. Smile.
After a show at the Latonia it was a trip across the street to Famores for a coke.
Truman Reed
I see that a “Ken McIntyre” originally added this theatre. If he is a local Oil City resident, he might want to contact the current co-owners.
Sportster: Were you, by chance, at the Latonia clean up day? You seem to know alot about the theatre and would like to think you know the whereabouts of old photos showing the marquee? One of the co-owners, Roxanne is an historian and would most certainly appreciate seeing any additional existing photos of the Latonia in its early days. And while viewing some of the b/w photos she didn’t have one of the chandelier as it looked when the Latonia was first opened in 1929.
I went to Oil City and helped clean this theatre, met the new co-owners, Linda and Roxanne and received a tour. The town also had the Lyric and the Drake theatres. The Drake still stands today, but is closed. The chandelier is spectacular and is a miracle that it is still hanging from the ceiling after the theatre opened in March of 1929. The Latonia had a Wurlitzer organ which has been restored and is in the Venango Museum which used to be the United Post Office building. Nearby are the original gold peacocks that once graced the walls of the Latonia Theatre.