Latonia Theater
1 E. First Street,
Oil City,
PA
16301
1 E. First Street,
Oil City,
PA
16301
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 67 of 67 comments
Did this theatre ever have a marquee? Would love to see interior photos, too.
Linda: I hope to join you on May 19th! If others are in the Oil City area and are reading this…come join the effort!
Congratulations and best wishes in your efforts. If I lived closer, I’d come and help though I have contacted someone I know in the Oil City area who might be interested as her family has theatre ownership history in western NYS.
Hello all. I am one of the new owners of this wonderful building. Happily reading your blog. We’re very excited about preserving and revitalizing this historic landmark. I could write pages about the building and will soon – watch for www.thelatonia.com where we’ll be posting history and documenting our progress. In the past month we have been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support in the community. While this is a private investment, we are very aware of the meaning the Latonia has to those who remember its grander days and who appreciate historic theatres and archetecture. It’s a huge project and we cannot do it alone. We have big dreams and small pockets. Please join us if you can, on May 19th 9am to ??? as we are inviting friends and family for a BYOB – that is – Bring Your Own Broom to clear away years of dust and debris. If you play an instrument, sing, or like to tap along – stay for the celebration in the “ballroom” under the chandelier. Our number is 814-677-1260. Roxanne is in the building everyday and would be happy to show you around. Please spread the word and most of all – Join Us! Linda
Check out the front page of the Oil City Derrick newspaper for 5-1-07 or go to thederrick.com.
Hey, guys…the chandelier is still up. It’s still rather impressive. The cleaning of the building is going on as I type this up, with the ballroom to be up and running hopefully by the 1st of September.
The art deco exterior is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Another building in many towns and cities across the country that were art deco in exterior design were the former Kress stores. Did Oil City have one? If the building still stands, you can tell by looking up and seeing the word, KRESS somewhere. If you go to www.roadsidearchitecture.com you can find a site that features former Kress buildings and many other interesting roadside architecture.
Indiana: Keep up your hopes to someday help with the restoration of this theatre. A good way to start is to contact those who are involved and offer whatever help you can in whatever way. Where is the chandelier now? If the space was a former furniture store, did they keep the chandelier hung or was it put into storage?
The Chandelier Is spectacular. Yet the area where you get to the main theater is blocked off, that did not stop me from exploring the place with my friends. The amount of space if phenominal in there. There is a closed sports shop (with some stuff still inside)One day (though I doubt that will be soon) I hope I can help with the restoration of the place.
It’s a shame that the seating area was been leveled when it was turned into a furniture store in 1972, but the 800 bulb chandelier sounds spectacular. I’d love to see a photo of it along with interior photos of how it once looked. Does anyone know who the architect was? In my travels this summer, I hope to visit Oil City and this former art deco theatre.
As of 4-23-07 the Latonia building has new ownership who plan to restore the mezzanine and it’s classic huge chandelier (It holds 800 bulbs). Although the old theater seating area has been leveled, plenty of room exists for future activities.
I also have a friend who lives near Oil City who will be going to check out this former theatre for me.
I found it under mystery theatres. Thanks as it’s a great b/w photo with credit given to the person who identified the theatre.
I can’t seem to find the THSA vintage photo of the Latonia. Please advise. Thanks.
Judging from exterior styling the Latonia Theatre must be from the Boller Bros. Architectural Firm. Notice the strong resemblance of the Latonia to other Boller designs, such as the Majestic Theatre located in East St. Louis, IL, and the Missouri Theatre in Saint Joseph, MO.
Theatre Historical Society of America is currently displaying a vintage photo of Oil City’s Latonia.
What a beautiful art deco building and such a shame that the community couldn’t make it work as a liver performance showcase as the exterior is certainly a showcase. The fact that it was operated by the Warner Brothers makes its importance to theatre history very special. Thank goodness that at least the art deco building still stands though not a theatre anymore. I may have to check out this one this summer. And I’m sure the floor was leveled if it is a furniture showroom today.
Here are some photos by Seth Gaines:
http://tinyurl.com/yj8xau