“The Ritz first opened in December 1928 and these marquee changes (1949 photo added) happened only 21 years after that event. With the sudden popularity of neon signage in Tiffin, maybe the owners of the Ritz felt that they needed to change over to neon in order to attract customers. Many years later, when the Ritz was restored, the flashy neon signage was removed and the old original style marquee returned.”
Additional Fremont history credit Mark Howell & Richard DeLombard.
In 1849 the residents changed the name of Lower Sandusky to Fremont, to honor John Fremont, who helped acquire California during the Mexican War.
It was Lower Sandusky because it was downriver from Upper Sandusky.
Confirmed Demolished.
Heritage Centre shopping mall is now on the site.
Linda’s Restaurant sits where the theatre stood.
Additional history credit Mark Howell.
The Mu-Mac Theatre in Middlefield, Ohio in Geauga County was named for it’s original owners, Ken Mumaw and Dr. George McElroy, a dentist and former mayor.
Almost as tall as the Gore building’s nearby towers, the 1939 Palace Theatre sign came down in 1959, and the Main Street site soon became a Woolco department store. – Late 1940s Photogelatine Company postcard from Al Findlay collection.
Credit Rych Mills Waterloo Region Record.
“Looking north along Water Street from Main between 1913 and 1938, the sign at the corner of Dickson changed from Temple to Regent to Grand. After another 23 years, the Grand closed in 1961. – Late 1940s Photogelatine Company postcard from Al Findlay collection.”
“Looking north along Water Street from Main between 1913 and 1938, the sign at the corner of Dickson changed from Temple to Regent to Grand. After another 23 years, the Grand closed in 1961. – Late 1940s Photogelatine Company postcard from Al Findlay collection.”
“Phil-Kron Drive In Theater – Opened on July 3rd 1947 as the Phil-Kron, located at 1720 S Main Street. Renamed to Drive In Theater in 1957. Renamed again in 1979 to Kerasotes Drive-In Theatre. Closed after a fire destroyed it on September 13th 1984.”
The Grand Opera House/ Chatterton Opera House/ Illini Theater – Originally The Grand Opera House opened on February 2nd 1891 and located at 108 E Market Street. Mainly vaudeville acts, occasionally showing nickelodeons. It burned on May 3rd 1909, and the current building was built at the same location as The Chatterton Opera House and opened on April 7th 1910. Also vaudeville acts – with the exception of showing the silent film “Birth of a Nation” in January 1916 as part of a national tour. Closed and reopened as Illini Theater on October 5th 1923, showing vaudeville and movies. Closed in 1933. Still standing and being used as a church today.“ (Abundant Life In Christ Church)
Additional history credit Seneca County Museum.
“The Ritz first opened in December 1928 and these marquee changes (1949 photo added) happened only 21 years after that event. With the sudden popularity of neon signage in Tiffin, maybe the owners of the Ritz felt that they needed to change over to neon in order to attract customers. Many years later, when the Ritz was restored, the flashy neon signage was removed and the old original style marquee returned.”
Additional Fremont history credit Mark Howell & Richard DeLombard. In 1849 the residents changed the name of Lower Sandusky to Fremont, to honor John Fremont, who helped acquire California during the Mexican War. It was Lower Sandusky because it was downriver from Upper Sandusky.
“Passion”, the U.S. title for the German film “Madame DuBarry" (1919).
1952 photo added credit Christy Nicole.
1919 photo.
This was the Ohio Theatre in 1934.
Photo added with matching signage confirming name.
Confirmed Demolished. Heritage Centre shopping mall is now on the site. Linda’s Restaurant sits where the theatre stood. Additional history credit Mark Howell. The Mu-Mac Theatre in Middlefield, Ohio in Geauga County was named for it’s original owners, Ken Mumaw and Dr. George McElroy, a dentist and former mayor.
Credit Rych Mills Waterloo Region Record.
Almost as tall as the Gore building’s nearby towers, the 1939 Palace Theatre sign came down in 1959, and the Main Street site soon became a Woolco department store. – Late 1940s Photogelatine Company postcard from Al Findlay collection.
https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/living-story/9269883-flash-from-the-past-hespeler-preston-and-galt-s-movie-palaces-all-gone/
Credit Rych Mills Waterloo Region Record. “Looking north along Water Street from Main between 1913 and 1938, the sign at the corner of Dickson changed from Temple to Regent to Grand. After another 23 years, the Grand closed in 1961. – Late 1940s Photogelatine Company postcard from Al Findlay collection.”
https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/living-story/9269883-flash-from-the-past-hespeler-preston-and-galt-s-movie-palaces-all-gone/
Credit Rych Mills Waterloo Region Record.
“Looking north along Water Street from Main between 1913 and 1938, the sign at the corner of Dickson changed from Temple to Regent to Grand. After another 23 years, the Grand closed in 1961. – Late 1940s Photogelatine Company postcard from Al Findlay collection.”
1977 photo added credit John Margolies.
Moving Picture World Book about original Castle Opening.
https://books.google.com/books?id=saMbAQAAMAAJ&dq=castle%20theater%20bloomington&pg=PA1166&fbclid=IwAR2B7a8YuVvTk1msSZJezXXu1PJTwhGpN6LcVoPg0n6Dmw70G7EvQl4MKkE#v=onepage&q=castle%20theater%20bloom&f=false
Closed May 16, 1991. Town of Normal purchased the building in November 1991. Via Tom Cherry.
Additional history credit Christopher Myers:
“Phil-Kron Drive In Theater – Opened on July 3rd 1947 as the Phil-Kron, located at 1720 S Main Street. Renamed to Drive In Theater in 1957. Renamed again in 1979 to Kerasotes Drive-In Theatre. Closed after a fire destroyed it on September 13th 1984.”
Demolished on October 3rd 1987.
Additional history credit Christopher Myers:
“Chatterton Opera House
The Grand Opera House/ Chatterton Opera House/ Illini Theater – Originally The Grand Opera House opened on February 2nd 1891 and located at 108 E Market Street. Mainly vaudeville acts, occasionally showing nickelodeons. It burned on May 3rd 1909, and the current building was built at the same location as The Chatterton Opera House and opened on April 7th 1910. Also vaudeville acts – with the exception of showing the silent film “Birth of a Nation” in January 1916 as part of a national tour. Closed and reopened as Illini Theater on October 5th 1923, showing vaudeville and movies. Closed in 1933. Still standing and being used as a church today.“ (Abundant Life In Christ Church)
Photos added.
1917 photo added courtesy Kenneth R. Davis.
Backstage at the Majestic.
https://mchistory.org/blog/backstage-majestic-theatre-bloomington-undated?fbclid=IwAR3UeFtk0T8Nz27AfrN4zYUsLnM61cRNwgBuSWAwc1_Zn-SK_IbEuMFOIV4
1950 photo added courtesy Perk Wilson.
Glad to help. They were posted on a Facebook page called Retro York.
Image of screen coming down added.
Trail Drive-IN also mentioned in this blog.
https://yorkblog.com/yorkspast/trail/
Image added courtesy Tammy Markel Poff. Presumably just before demolition, as the marquee is advertising the Strand & Capitol.
Facebook page for Hanover Theatre. Many photos.
https://www.facebook.com/StateTheaterHanover/?tn=%2CdkCH-R-R&eid=ARDTfyw3Ijex5qm-PcAwxBf_dU2jT_611Yd9MUq3vTpgXH5N9HdIu19S8nFWzc_ui9BSK_vlQfMPPYLw&hc_ref=ARTvM2DCboCldVV3Ghlw15wM8fDnJ3n0JHCpXcPYr4pP8tJ4NzUHkItHC0ak5cJHjw0&fref=nf&hc_location=group