Mark in NC: At one time were you ever involved with the Carolina Theatre Preservation Society? I won’t be able to attend the Encore party event, but hope you do and post here afterwards. If you wish to contact me via email, the address is
On October 16th from 6-8 at 6th and Tryon in Charlotte NC there will be a party put on by Encore to review their residental plan with tours of the Carolina Theatre along with cocktails and appetizers. For more information on this event please contact .com
The following was originally posted on the Reg Lenna site:
The Wintergarden at one point was the jewel of the theatres in Jamestown. We had a total of seven theatres in downtown Jamestown. The Wintergarden was (is) located on North Main Street between Third and Fourth Streets. As a theatre geek, I worked there in the early 80’s and yes it was in bad shape then.
In the early 60’s there was a fire that gutted the Wintergaden pretty badly. When the theatre was restored, half the balconcy was removed, and the house was simply painted, none of the ornate features were restored. The stage and pit were also removed at this time.
There is a small space under the screen where these is some storage space for the marquee letters. Now here is a trivia fact the marquee for the Wintergarden was large enough to accomidate seven rows of letters. It was a real scary thing climbing a latter and changing them, especially on the downward (the side facing Third street) as it was on a hill. In the winter it was not uncommon to see only two lines on that side of the marquee.
It is true that in its last few years of life it was in bad shape. The original red neon block two level Winter Garden sign was half out, the neon inside the marquee was dead, they even went so far as to install for spots lights to shine on the marquee. The underside of the marquee had neon that had also been removed, and the original box-office covered.
The WinterGarden died a most horrible death for a grand old lady, and today sits empty.
BTW- the seven theatres downtown? The Roosevelt, Strand, Royal, & majstic – all were in Brooklyn Square, distroyed in the early 70’s – I have no memory of them. The Palace (now the Reg Civic Center, The Allen Opera House (then Sheas Theatre and now the home of the Lucille Ball Little Theatre)
I am looking for old photos of any and all of the old theatres of my hometown, or just great old stories for my personal website (Remember I am a theatre geek) If you have them, contact me at , or post them to me via my website www.samanthakitty.com I have opened 12 “New Grand Mega-plexes” for my employer over the years, but there is “Nothing like a dame” ..
posted by Movie Bob on Jul 10, 2006 at 2:30pm
I just saw a wonderful Tribute to Frank Sinatra at the Reg tonight so if you get a chance to see and hear Tom Tiratto…..you won’t be disappointed. http://www.sinatra-tribute.com/index.html
gib: The September 1, 2006 post that shows many interior photos are the only interior photos that I have seen. I was inside the theatre a few years ago when a realtor was showing the theatre to a prospective buyer which, unfortunately, did not result in a sale. Since there was no electricity lighting was from flood lights. I sadly recall there was much dampness and mildew from too many years of neglect. I know there are many residents in Jamestown who recall going to this theatre and would be happy to talk with you.
gig: I don’t recall hearing or reading about anyone purchasing the Winter Garden nor that someone was “actually in the process of restoring the Winter Garden to as close to original as possible”. THIS, imo, would be very BIG news for the City of Jamestown so don’t understand why it wouldn’t have made the Post Journal. We have the restored Reg Lenna thanks to M/M Reginald Lenna, but a restored Winter Garden would be icing on the theatrical cake!
gig: I have found your recent post most intriguing. I have met fellow CT member, “DakRoland” and would suggest that you contact him. If you read his August 24, 2007 post, you will see that he has the original blueprints and knows much about this theatre’s history with photos.
Tonight on the Sci Fi channel a program about the Moore Theatre was broadcast. It was about ghosthunters and their evening spent in the theatre. Interesting to read that in the basement there was or is a pool? What is a pool doing in the basement of a theatre?
LOUB: Great news. I think one of the maintenance men named Al is always there and I’m sure cared for that chandelier like it was “his child” as is the entire theatre to him.
I never visited Mrs. Mascaro and don’t know if she is still alive. I do know that the former theatre location where the Lincoln/Bedell statues stand is undergoing complete commemorative brick work. Though the statues were very well done there is not a time that I enter that intersection that I don’t wish the Grand Theatre were still with us. It’s demise was untimely because I feel if the theatre could have “hung on” a few more years either the historical society or private citizens such as myself would have launched a SAVE THE GRAND campaign! Unfortunately, I was not living in the area during demolition and therefore my efforts now are in vane.
cgcolumbia: Thanks for the update on this theatre. To read about a once backlit stained glass was nice until I read that it has been painted over! It always amazes me what some people think is the right thing to do. I wish you the best of luck and perhaps someone on CT can advise you on how to raise cash to restore this theatre to its “former glory”.
Lost Memory: Interesting to learn that this small town theatre once had an organ! I grew up near this theatre, but never went there as a child though know exactly where it used to be.
Mark in NC: At one time were you ever involved with the Carolina Theatre Preservation Society? I won’t be able to attend the Encore party event, but hope you do and post here afterwards. If you wish to contact me via email, the address is
On October 16th from 6-8 at 6th and Tryon in Charlotte NC there will be a party put on by Encore to review their residental plan with tours of the Carolina Theatre along with cocktails and appetizers. For more information on this event please contact .com
The following was originally posted on the Reg Lenna site:
The Wintergarden at one point was the jewel of the theatres in Jamestown. We had a total of seven theatres in downtown Jamestown. The Wintergarden was (is) located on North Main Street between Third and Fourth Streets. As a theatre geek, I worked there in the early 80’s and yes it was in bad shape then.
In the early 60’s there was a fire that gutted the Wintergaden pretty badly. When the theatre was restored, half the balconcy was removed, and the house was simply painted, none of the ornate features were restored. The stage and pit were also removed at this time.
There is a small space under the screen where these is some storage space for the marquee letters. Now here is a trivia fact the marquee for the Wintergarden was large enough to accomidate seven rows of letters. It was a real scary thing climbing a latter and changing them, especially on the downward (the side facing Third street) as it was on a hill. In the winter it was not uncommon to see only two lines on that side of the marquee.
It is true that in its last few years of life it was in bad shape. The original red neon block two level Winter Garden sign was half out, the neon inside the marquee was dead, they even went so far as to install for spots lights to shine on the marquee. The underside of the marquee had neon that had also been removed, and the original box-office covered.
The WinterGarden died a most horrible death for a grand old lady, and today sits empty.
BTW- the seven theatres downtown? The Roosevelt, Strand, Royal, & majstic – all were in Brooklyn Square, distroyed in the early 70’s – I have no memory of them. The Palace (now the Reg Civic Center, The Allen Opera House (then Sheas Theatre and now the home of the Lucille Ball Little Theatre)
I am looking for old photos of any and all of the old theatres of my hometown, or just great old stories for my personal website (Remember I am a theatre geek) If you have them, contact me at , or post them to me via my website www.samanthakitty.com I have opened 12 “New Grand Mega-plexes” for my employer over the years, but there is “Nothing like a dame” ..
posted by Movie Bob on Jul 10, 2006 at 2:30pm
I just saw a wonderful Tribute to Frank Sinatra at the Reg tonight so if you get a chance to see and hear Tom Tiratto…..you won’t be disappointed. http://www.sinatra-tribute.com/index.html
So sad that this former Thomas Lamb theatre is now an Army Navy store.
gib: The September 1, 2006 post that shows many interior photos are the only interior photos that I have seen. I was inside the theatre a few years ago when a realtor was showing the theatre to a prospective buyer which, unfortunately, did not result in a sale. Since there was no electricity lighting was from flood lights. I sadly recall there was much dampness and mildew from too many years of neglect. I know there are many residents in Jamestown who recall going to this theatre and would be happy to talk with you.
Lost Memory: These are quite the photos of quite a theatre…still hoping to see it in person!
gig: I don’t recall hearing or reading about anyone purchasing the Winter Garden nor that someone was “actually in the process of restoring the Winter Garden to as close to original as possible”. THIS, imo, would be very BIG news for the City of Jamestown so don’t understand why it wouldn’t have made the Post Journal. We have the restored Reg Lenna thanks to M/M Reginald Lenna, but a restored Winter Garden would be icing on the theatrical cake!
gig: I have found your recent post most intriguing. I have met fellow CT member, “DakRoland” and would suggest that you contact him. If you read his August 24, 2007 post, you will see that he has the original blueprints and knows much about this theatre’s history with photos.
And that marquee used to read LOEW’S.
Lost Memory: Nice photo of the marquee and surrounding area. I never made a trip to Akron, but hope to in ‘08.
Correction: I see that the Moore Hotel had a swimming pool in the basement, not the theatre?
Tonight on the Sci Fi channel a program about the Moore Theatre was broadcast. It was about ghosthunters and their evening spent in the theatre. Interesting to read that in the basement there was or is a pool? What is a pool doing in the basement of a theatre?
LOUB: Great news. I think one of the maintenance men named Al is always there and I’m sure cared for that chandelier like it was “his child” as is the entire theatre to him.
Then typed in “Rivoli Theatre in Enid OK” and found the interior/exterior shots. What’s the latest status on this theatre?
Miss Melba Toast: When I typed in the word “Rivoli” an interior theatre in Blackwell came up.
LOUB: Thanks for the site! In the photo I can see a chandelier so wondered what the status is of it now?
WDG: Would love to hear from you again. My email is
I never visited Mrs. Mascaro and don’t know if she is still alive. I do know that the former theatre location where the Lincoln/Bedell statues stand is undergoing complete commemorative brick work. Though the statues were very well done there is not a time that I enter that intersection that I don’t wish the Grand Theatre were still with us. It’s demise was untimely because I feel if the theatre could have “hung on” a few more years either the historical society or private citizens such as myself would have launched a SAVE THE GRAND campaign! Unfortunately, I was not living in the area during demolition and therefore my efforts now are in vane.
I lived in WPB for over 30 years and don’t recall this theatre on Rosemary which is where City Place is now. Any photos, anyone?
cgcolumbia: Thanks for the update on this theatre. To read about a once backlit stained glass was nice until I read that it has been painted over! It always amazes me what some people think is the right thing to do. I wish you the best of luck and perhaps someone on CT can advise you on how to raise cash to restore this theatre to its “former glory”.
Lost Memory: Interesting to learn that this small town theatre once had an organ! I grew up near this theatre, but never went there as a child though know exactly where it used to be.
I have spoken to Doug Swift who developed the City Center Condos and made him aware of CT and our vast interest in old theatres.
What is the current restoration status on this theatre?
The May 1 interior photo is beautiful…too bad Nashville doesn’t have a theatre like this…anymore!