The date for the first showing of movies above (gleaned from local historical sources) is not correct. An item in the Binghamton Press indicates they were shown here as early as 1909.
A 1925 article in The Otsego Farmer indicates that William Smalley had just added this theatre to his chain. It was not clear whether the theatre was already in existence or not.
The Binghamton Press of 12-30-52 stated (in an article about bingo in theatres in Chenango County) that the Sherburne Theatre closed the summer of 1951. It was still open in May of that year, when there was a fire in the projection booth that forced an evacuation of the building. It seems likely the fire may have precipitated the closure of the theatre, though the Press article blamed the advent of television.
A few more tidbits about the Armory: a columnist in the Binghamton Press in 1956 states at that point that the building is “a garage, a radio shop and a few other things now.” Another columnist in the ‘50s states that the Armory was (presumably in its later years) a place for “devotees of chorus girl shows.” It seems to have moved from legit theatre, movies and vaudeville to burlesque around the time of the sale of the theatre in 1919. Ethel Barrymore and Al Jolson both appeared at the Armory.
A June 1922 issue of Variety records the closing of the theatre as of May 31. “The Armory theatre, long a local theatrical landmark, will be transformed into a business structure as the result of its purchase by Albert I. Willey, local contractor…The Armory theatre dates back to the ‘70s when it was erected by the state for militia armory purposes.”
I just updated the street view to get the site right. If you’re looking at a parking lot with a large, low green building in the distance, that’s where it was.
I’m at the site now, and the theatre should be changed to closed. it looks like it has been out of business for about 2-3 years and is starting to deteriorate.
A friend of mine, who is involved with the renovation project, gave me a tour of the theatre today. I got a few pix that I will try to upload later. The good news is the building is structurally in very good condition, and clean, though very little original architecture remains in the auditorium area…it’s basically a large space with brick walls and a stage that dates from a later period of use added where the screen was. However, I was taken underneath the current stage and shown that an original Vaudeville-era stage and orchestra pit still survive under the newer stage, along with some original cornices and other odds and ends from the 1920s era. Very cool.
At the site now. Though the marquee is newly gone (revealing a hodgepodge facade beneath), there’s a movie advertised for tonight, a young man is chalking up upcoming attractions, and there’s an announcement for a “1st anniversary” show in September. This one is definitely still open.
At the site now. Below marquee (which is in disrepair) it reads “Closed ‘Til Spring.” Admission prices are still in the window and posters from recent movies still up. It is ambiguous whether the theatre is permanently open or closed from on site evidence.
There is a building at 216 Main that looks like it may have been an early theatre; Nickelodeon style arch entry, dual entry around ticket booth shaped glass enclosure; signs of a removed marquee. Peering through the window it appears the building is used for storage (haphazardly). Tile work on the ceiling is consistent with 1910s construction, building is deep enough to have been a theatre; however, the name M. Barkovitz is done in tile in the entryway, indicating a proprietor-business. Was this an earlier theatre than the Shannon and later converted to retail? The actual location of tge Shannon? or just a very ornate shop? The extensive window displays imply something like a dress shop.
I am currently at the site; the building at 213 King (hair salon) is too small to have housed a theater and too old to have been built after. There are obvious signs of other buildings further down the street that were demolished; perhaps the theatre was where the gravel parking lot just north of the hair salon is?
After looking at the picture carefully, I believe the sign reads “Gas 27” (cents). If so, it would date the picture to the early days of automobiling and thus movies.
If the legend (as it reads on the eBay listing) originally read The Movies, Rogers House, Whitney Point" it might indicate the movie theatre was indeed the building next door. Another possibility is they were showing films in the ballroom of the hotel (assuming there was one). It does seem they were diversifying, but it looks like the sign was advertising gas, not film,and there’s no other outside indicator of where “the movies” were that I can discern.
The date for the first showing of movies above (gleaned from local historical sources) is not correct. An item in the Binghamton Press indicates they were shown here as early as 1909.
Ernie Wolfe couldn’t stop remodeling and improving his theatres! Sounds like he was quite a go-getter.
Here’s the picture of the opening night of the theatre:
http://www.postcardpost.com/l22.jpg
This was sent to all the patrons who attended.
Interior and exterior photographs here:
http://www.colchesterhistoricalsociety.org/downsville.htm
Binghamton Press article of the same year confirms that this theatre closed in 1952.
A 1925 article in The Otsego Farmer indicates that William Smalley had just added this theatre to his chain. It was not clear whether the theatre was already in existence or not.
The Binghamton Press of 12-30-52 stated (in an article about bingo in theatres in Chenango County) that the Sherburne Theatre closed the summer of 1951. It was still open in May of that year, when there was a fire in the projection booth that forced an evacuation of the building. It seems likely the fire may have precipitated the closure of the theatre, though the Press article blamed the advent of television.
A few more tidbits about the Armory: a columnist in the Binghamton Press in 1956 states at that point that the building is “a garage, a radio shop and a few other things now.” Another columnist in the ‘50s states that the Armory was (presumably in its later years) a place for “devotees of chorus girl shows.” It seems to have moved from legit theatre, movies and vaudeville to burlesque around the time of the sale of the theatre in 1919. Ethel Barrymore and Al Jolson both appeared at the Armory.
A June 1922 issue of Variety records the closing of the theatre as of May 31. “The Armory theatre, long a local theatrical landmark, will be transformed into a business structure as the result of its purchase by Albert I. Willey, local contractor…The Armory theatre dates back to the ‘70s when it was erected by the state for militia armory purposes.”
Digitized archives of the Journal and Republican and Lowville Times pinpoint the opening of the Opera House to May 6, 1926.
There was another theatre in Van Horn. When I first passed through in the mid 90s the skeleton of it was still standing.
Here’s a view from the opposite end of the street, much later. Seems to confirm your placement of the theatre.
http://thumbs2.picclick.com/d/w1600/pict/290953116917_/postcard-of-albion-new-york-main-st-1970-s.jpg
I just updated the street view to get the site right. If you’re looking at a parking lot with a large, low green building in the distance, that’s where it was.
Building is still up and in use as office space.
Not only open, but in wonderful repair, fresh paint and a snazzy marquee. Nice!
Remarkably, all the video boxes are still in the video store portion. This theatre seems to have been abandoned almost overnight.
There is still a “now showing” poster in the lobby for “Open Season” which implies a 2006 closure.
At site now. Posters, DVDs still in lobby but ceiling and fixtures are torn and plaster is everywhere.
I’m at the site now, and the theatre should be changed to closed. it looks like it has been out of business for about 2-3 years and is starting to deteriorate.
A friend of mine, who is involved with the renovation project, gave me a tour of the theatre today. I got a few pix that I will try to upload later. The good news is the building is structurally in very good condition, and clean, though very little original architecture remains in the auditorium area…it’s basically a large space with brick walls and a stage that dates from a later period of use added where the screen was. However, I was taken underneath the current stage and shown that an original Vaudeville-era stage and orchestra pit still survive under the newer stage, along with some original cornices and other odds and ends from the 1920s era. Very cool.
Tried to field check this theatre; address appears to be incorrect.
At the site now. Though the marquee is newly gone (revealing a hodgepodge facade beneath), there’s a movie advertised for tonight, a young man is chalking up upcoming attractions, and there’s an announcement for a “1st anniversary” show in September. This one is definitely still open.
At the site now. Below marquee (which is in disrepair) it reads “Closed ‘Til Spring.” Admission prices are still in the window and posters from recent movies still up. It is ambiguous whether the theatre is permanently open or closed from on site evidence.
There is a building at 216 Main that looks like it may have been an early theatre; Nickelodeon style arch entry, dual entry around ticket booth shaped glass enclosure; signs of a removed marquee. Peering through the window it appears the building is used for storage (haphazardly). Tile work on the ceiling is consistent with 1910s construction, building is deep enough to have been a theatre; however, the name M. Barkovitz is done in tile in the entryway, indicating a proprietor-business. Was this an earlier theatre than the Shannon and later converted to retail? The actual location of tge Shannon? or just a very ornate shop? The extensive window displays imply something like a dress shop.
I am currently at the site; the building at 213 King (hair salon) is too small to have housed a theater and too old to have been built after. There are obvious signs of other buildings further down the street that were demolished; perhaps the theatre was where the gravel parking lot just north of the hair salon is?
The postcard can be viewed in best quality here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theatreposts/6736511671/
Oddly enough, there was also a Gem Theatre in Berlin, NH about the same time…
After looking at the picture carefully, I believe the sign reads “Gas 27” (cents). If so, it would date the picture to the early days of automobiling and thus movies.
If the legend (as it reads on the eBay listing) originally read The Movies, Rogers House, Whitney Point" it might indicate the movie theatre was indeed the building next door. Another possibility is they were showing films in the ballroom of the hotel (assuming there was one). It does seem they were diversifying, but it looks like the sign was advertising gas, not film,and there’s no other outside indicator of where “the movies” were that I can discern.