“The Rapids Theater originally opened as the Bellevue Movie Theater in 1921. The opulent movie and vaudeville house hosted many famous stage and screen performers in it’s day including the Three Stooges. The Bellevue was purchased by the Cataract-Strand Theater Corp. in 1961 and renamed the Rapids Theater. Eventually The Rapids Theater closed it’s doors until 2007 when it was purchased by local businessman John Hutchins. After extensive renovations The Rapids Theater reopened in 2009 as a concert and event venue. Included in Hutchins' purchase, free of charge, were the resident ghosts! It is believed by many that the old theater is haunted. As the story goes a jilted actress hung herself backstage after her lover left her for another woman. Witnesses over the years have spotted a ghostly female apparition roaming different parts of the theater especially the stage. Also the sound of high heels walking across the floor have been heard on numerous occasions. Doors have slammed without reason, unusual sounds have been heard and moving shadows have been seen. Ethereal voices, whistling sounds and footsteps have been heard in most areas of the building. An unworldly moving shadow has been seen in various locations of the building most often in the basement. In October 2011 The Atlantic Paranormal Society investigated the claims of ghostly activity at The Rapids Theater for a special episode of Ghost Hunters on the SYFY Channel. Their investigation revealed whistles, unearthly voices, unexplained footsteps and slamming doors as well as a moving shadow that sent chills down the spines of the observers.”
Compiled history credit Max Eddy.
Located on Falls St. between Prospect St. and Riverway.
Opened circa 1903 as International Theatre.
Remodeled into Gorge Auditorium in 1926.
Demolished in 1962 and the area became the Falls St. exit of the Robert Moses Parkway, and part of the Niagara Falls State Park completed in 1964.
It had a vertical sign reading “Niagara’s Scenic Trip” at the time of demolition.
Photos added.
1927 photo added credit Indiana Historical Society. Richard Dix in “Manpower” released July 9, 1927.
Also it appears the building that preceded the Indiana Theatre was called the Cleveland Club based on some early 1900s photos I just added to the Capitol Theatre’s CT page below.
The Regent Theater was bombed during a labor dispute March 17, 1930.
From the below article:
“The Regent Theater was eventually repaired at little cost to owner P.J. Schlossman. Prompted by similar bombings in Grand Rapids, he had obtained explosion insurance two weeks before the Regent Theater bombing.”
Status is Open and renamed The Jackson Theatre, showing classic films and hosting live music.
Name changes chronology from their website:
The Jackson Theatre
Originally opened as the Blue Mouse Theatre in 1922 in the back of L.M. Broyles furniture store, this building embraced the art of cinema. It was later known as the Lyric Theater and then remodeled and reopened as the Jackson Theatre in 1945. The theatre showed movies and offered plays and concerts on its 12’ stage in front of the screen. A quarter got you a long way at the Jackson Theatre, and many of Jonesborough’s residents spent their Saturdays here watching a double feature and eating concessions. The theatre ceased operation in the early 1960s. In 2014, the Town of Jonesborough purchased the building with an ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) Grant and began renovating it into a year-round performance venue.
Additional history courtesy Tacoma Historical Society.
Accompanying photo credit Tacoma Public Library added to gallery.
“On December 1, 1927, the Masonic Temple at 47 St. Helens was dedicated. This photograph was taken just before the dedication. The Temple Theatre (then called the Heilig Theater), built within the Masonic Temple, had its grand opening on October 18, 1927. The theater was leased by Calvin Heilig and was decorated in an Egyptian motif. The $550,000 building, made of stone and concrete, rose ten stories from the Broadway level. The facade consisted of stone finish with brick trimmings. Sixteen Masonic bodies would utilize the structure as a meeting space.”
This additional history courtesy the Tacoma Historical Society.
It accompanied the Overview photo which I will re-post a crisper version of in the gallery.
J.R. McKinnell opened the new Rose Theater at 514-16 South 11th Street in late December of 1920. The original Rose Theater was located at 905 Tacoma Ave S in the Lucerne Building. On the 28th of December the feature at the new Rose was “Ruth of the Rockies” starring Ruth Roland, one of the stars of the early silent serials; she specialized in westerns and comedies. “Ruth of the Rockies” was one of her later films. The new movie house had been built by Tacoma contractors Wick and Johnson at an estimated price tag of $8,000 for a California client. It was constructed of reinforced concrete and was 22 feet high with a 35 x 65 foot footprint. The building was demolished in July of 1996.
Additional history credit Max Eddy:
“The Rapids Theater originally opened as the Bellevue Movie Theater in 1921. The opulent movie and vaudeville house hosted many famous stage and screen performers in it’s day including the Three Stooges. The Bellevue was purchased by the Cataract-Strand Theater Corp. in 1961 and renamed the Rapids Theater. Eventually The Rapids Theater closed it’s doors until 2007 when it was purchased by local businessman John Hutchins. After extensive renovations The Rapids Theater reopened in 2009 as a concert and event venue. Included in Hutchins' purchase, free of charge, were the resident ghosts! It is believed by many that the old theater is haunted. As the story goes a jilted actress hung herself backstage after her lover left her for another woman. Witnesses over the years have spotted a ghostly female apparition roaming different parts of the theater especially the stage. Also the sound of high heels walking across the floor have been heard on numerous occasions. Doors have slammed without reason, unusual sounds have been heard and moving shadows have been seen. Ethereal voices, whistling sounds and footsteps have been heard in most areas of the building. An unworldly moving shadow has been seen in various locations of the building most often in the basement. In October 2011 The Atlantic Paranormal Society investigated the claims of ghostly activity at The Rapids Theater for a special episode of Ghost Hunters on the SYFY Channel. Their investigation revealed whistles, unearthly voices, unexplained footsteps and slamming doors as well as a moving shadow that sent chills down the spines of the observers.”
Compiled history credit Max Eddy. Located on Falls St. between Prospect St. and Riverway. Opened circa 1903 as International Theatre. Remodeled into Gorge Auditorium in 1926. Demolished in 1962 and the area became the Falls St. exit of the Robert Moses Parkway, and part of the Niagara Falls State Park completed in 1964. It had a vertical sign reading “Niagara’s Scenic Trip” at the time of demolition. Photos added.
Photo courtesy of the Niagara Falls Public Library Local History Dept. Niagara Falls NY.
Mike Hume’s Historic Theatre Photos website, Riviera Theatre page link below. Copy & paste to view.
https://www.historictheatrephotos.com/Theatre/Riviera-Chicago.aspx
1927 photo added credit Indiana Historical Society. Richard Dix in “Manpower” released July 9, 1927. Also it appears the building that preceded the Indiana Theatre was called the Cleveland Club based on some early 1900s photos I just added to the Capitol Theatre’s CT page below.
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/20283/photos
Opened with “The Famous Mrs. Fair” silent film. 1923 photo added.
786 Indiana Avenue was the main address used in promotions and print ads.
The Regent Theater was bombed during a labor dispute March 17, 1930. From the below article: “The Regent Theater was eventually repaired at little cost to owner P.J. Schlossman. Prompted by similar bombings in Grand Rapids, he had obtained explosion insurance two weeks before the Regent Theater bombing.”
https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2016/07/1930_bombing_of_regent_theater.html
Update: 1974 photo credit Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn Public Library Collections.
Circa 1985 photo credit & copyright Betsy van Die via Consumer Grouch.
https://www.consumergrouch.com/?p=8946
Pretty sure this is the same Gaiety Theatre.
Babe Ruth throwing his candy bars from the marquee.
https://baseballhall.org/discover/shortstops/heres-the-pitch
Status is Open and renamed The Jackson Theatre, showing classic films and hosting live music. Name changes chronology from their website:
The Jackson Theatre Originally opened as the Blue Mouse Theatre in 1922 in the back of L.M. Broyles furniture store, this building embraced the art of cinema. It was later known as the Lyric Theater and then remodeled and reopened as the Jackson Theatre in 1945. The theatre showed movies and offered plays and concerts on its 12’ stage in front of the screen. A quarter got you a long way at the Jackson Theatre, and many of Jonesborough’s residents spent their Saturdays here watching a double feature and eating concessions. The theatre ceased operation in the early 1960s. In 2014, the Town of Jonesborough purchased the building with an ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) Grant and began renovating it into a year-round performance venue.
Official website and Facebook page below.
https://thejacksontheatre.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMtrWhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFESWtBc0pLQk9IZDEzUEJzAR78pUs4Il4CWGsCQVcesFfNA-Wl51aLmPf0Su4W-kcUo4IldjZ3rVEdh4FwyA_aem_l0bHcMfEVE2rkstLyV5lrA
https://www.facebook.com/thejacksontheatre/
It appears the second story was removed during the 1969 remodeling into the Towne Theatre. Mid `50s photo added credit Marcia King Gascho.
Additional history courtesy Tacoma Historical Society. Accompanying photo credit Tacoma Public Library added to gallery.
“On December 1, 1927, the Masonic Temple at 47 St. Helens was dedicated. This photograph was taken just before the dedication. The Temple Theatre (then called the Heilig Theater), built within the Masonic Temple, had its grand opening on October 18, 1927. The theater was leased by Calvin Heilig and was decorated in an Egyptian motif. The $550,000 building, made of stone and concrete, rose ten stories from the Broadway level. The facade consisted of stone finish with brick trimmings. Sixteen Masonic bodies would utilize the structure as a meeting space.”
2018 link with the history of the First Christmas Tree with photos.
https://tacomahistory.live/2018/11/27/the-first-tree/
History:
https://tacomahistory.live/2018/11/27/the-first-tree/
Crisper version:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1066569275280968&set=pcb.1066569325280963
Crisper version:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1066569291947633&set=pcb.1066569325280963
This additional history courtesy the Tacoma Historical Society. It accompanied the Overview photo which I will re-post a crisper version of in the gallery.
J.R. McKinnell opened the new Rose Theater at 514-16 South 11th Street in late December of 1920. The original Rose Theater was located at 905 Tacoma Ave S in the Lucerne Building. On the 28th of December the feature at the new Rose was “Ruth of the Rockies” starring Ruth Roland, one of the stars of the early silent serials; she specialized in westerns and comedies. “Ruth of the Rockies” was one of her later films. The new movie house had been built by Tacoma contractors Wick and Johnson at an estimated price tag of $8,000 for a California client. It was constructed of reinforced concrete and was 22 feet high with a 35 x 65 foot footprint. The building was demolished in July of 1996.
Crisper version with additional history.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1165768155361079&set=a.449986056939296
Via the Tacoma Historical Society:
“ICYMI, video footage of the fire was recently rediscovered and remastered by Tacoma filmmaker Mick Flaaen.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuKQsRG59wM
Photo credit Tacoma Public Library.
Colonial Theatre history via Tacoma History Live link.
https://tacomahistory.live/2016/10/26/the-colonial-theatre-1914-1988/
2021 backstage tour on Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/459203353?fbclid=IwY2xjawMka-hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF0QXNZSUdlMGhMV0dORU8zAR6fckV7TGvDw6KPZXFTDEeZyIWvS3XQkCt_7krggWTZ21EGHxMyZLNHAl4Qpg_aem_ZEdm-wdHZP5CAH-tnRvIXw&turnstile=0.PlWsAKN6volBZeQgk2sJw6a6wrc23KCDfMTVr1jM3LQPz0Vrtvrj_QMOuNNCvz3YbpJOS_31qKNkTVUIBtFogex3gW6pITKbysL4MZfSA5DbSkDSSLY9ZBhCyoLT8fPy5C-lAuBbZMSN5FPq2LbwBdJBShrujXAjJC8JVrCT5LVq4CkbyHJjeuI5Rf0Azuedu3D29axhnCXBUJJkFUTTpQsX49FAh52hE7iv5BIpomYLwhNwJ9j-E2GS6uffarOFIMndCAVmIAb2T8E4birCTYI8pl7qCb2UYbJaUAaJ1oNxhphDkBR09BnQ1yuSdQ-7VsCRBfSOPSz_7val2_pO-TM_dOffEIKZ3eucCsWVYPUD0R5sWdPxzShtFMW9_0pRDq7nKX0rZLxe9ee-h2nmVxKLdHdsYMIetX_jsfkiYC_tEIVtb0ImoWdFK6YshJxw_67AMUDzRXFvyFSmSxZTQDGG1Z2kAqsK5QqSbl4u99tP-dunk96fTIsGwjxw_cn84hlQ2BBwxzxI8ela97plTtgcOh0tyOyYmajt7krUEs4Q6IcT5Zh7CrLcDb5kNqVyL5rBqXCk2LoVouw-fStQxJGCuXYVpcEzCJ3QR4DStU7l99qLokd13a_R_u_WtOSKEestgXniNxBOlR9R8spxJkMMH7shWYBWKvzqyPnMkImTWFQxGarymHte2DHiI42DMk82bM8XGTTCdlIjYWQHD1KlooljsQSBFbkxWB2wyNfI-eW0REbDKixPZR53s_49iKupOlVm4xYO99sUwyn5WzAeXn7t6o__dqt8r94z64PF24BVG2Fkk3WhnHVEHjkAkYgaTvQbm7oXwmTwF6Ha0j94DF2-fV1WlzRrws0DRrQ.YYRYPefyULdO6LtXW_QPJw.4e3a5f7d5a47e68a7e7f9321776bc71e382b8a7a36e0ed8b12e21a5cb04d4275