A good friend of mine whose father managed this theatre in the 40’s met Lucille Ball when she performed on stage and he always talked about that experience throughout his life time. I only wish I had known this as it would have been fun chatting with him about this special experience!
Indiana: Miracles do happen so with current owner dedication and TLC this theatre will be used for community gatherings after witnessing, firsthand, a group clean-up effort. After seeing the Latonia, in person, I am amazed that all or most of the EXIT signs still remain and that the unique chandelier still hangs from the ceiling after so many years. Rox and Linda, keep us posted on when you are able to light the chandelier in all of its former glory! Also, when you have taken down that partition wall in the balcony area along with relocating the gift shop in the former lobby area. Congratulations upon your purchase and gallant efforts..the soul of the Latonia thanks you as do we.
Mark in NC: When in Asheville again, I shall visit College and look for the “you can make out the outline of the balcony on the one remaining wall that touches the building that was next door”.
Tim: Let us know when your article on Eberson and atmospheric theatres has been published as we’d all love to read it. I especially would as my favorite theatres are Eberson atmospherics followed by art deco ones.
sam_e: Yes, you are right about the parrot being seen in most or all Eberson theatres. The Palace Theatre in Canton OH is on CT and the manager has at least one of these parrots as he showed me one that was in the basement of the theatre. A bit dusty, but all there! I didn’t know the ‘bag of bird seed’ story though!
Were the peacocks an Eberson design? If so, I know of 2 that were in the former Latonia Theatre in Oil City PA but not sure if that theatre was connected with the name Eberson.
Timothy: Your comments about peacocks caught my eye as I recently toured the former Latonia Theatre in Oil City PA and was told this theatre had them. The gold peacocks have been restored and are now in the town’s museum along with the originally restored Wurlitzer organ.
I just sent Roxanne an email to let her know of your recent May 24, 2007 post and Latonia knowledge with photos as we’d all love to see the marquee or one like it. Thanks so very much.
Truman: My email address is located on my profile page so if you want to email me I can provide you with Roxanne’s email address. Please title your email LATONIA so I will not accidentally delete it.
It’s a shame that this City lost this theatre, but there is always the newly opened Johnny’s Lunch. The original one started in 1936 in Jamestown NY and is still operating today. Stop in a have a great hot dog when in Toledo Ohio.
And with the name WARNER, I wonder if there is any Warner history connected to this theatre. I would guess that there is a connection so would like to read about it.
Nice to know that the structure is still there though after reading “there is a large overhead door in the back of the theater now for trucks to enter and exit” sounds like it is still the Mid City Truck and Auto Repair business. Would be interesting to have someone get inside and take some photos to see if anthing “theatre” remains. It’s a shame that this university town didn’t keep their theatre.
Truman: What can you tell us about the marquee? Correction: The theatre was cut horizonally with a cement floor above the original main floor level so now when you enter the theatre you are much closer to the top of the stage opening and chandelier as it hangs above your head. It is a miracle that this chandelier is still in the theatre though it needs to be cleaned, replace missing panels and lighted with new wiring.
Truman: You must contact Roxanne at the Latonia as she would love to hear your stories!! As you may or may not know, the Latonia was cut in half, vertically when a furniture store entered the picture, but Roxanne has great plans for the Latonia in the near future despite what previous owners chose to do in ‘72 after the theatre closed for the last time in '69 with the Sound of Music. She being an historian she has done much research and is willing to learn more about this grand theatre.
Sportster: Were you, by chance, at the Latonia clean up day? You seem to know alot about the theatre and would like to think you know the whereabouts of old photos showing the marquee? One of the co-owners, Roxanne is an historian and would most certainly appreciate seeing any additional existing photos of the Latonia in its early days. And while viewing some of the b/w photos she didn’t have one of the chandelier as it looked when the Latonia was first opened in 1929.
I went to Oil City and helped clean this theatre, met the new co-owners, Linda and Roxanne and received a tour. The town also had the Lyric and the Drake theatres. The Drake still stands today, but is closed. The chandelier is spectacular and is a miracle that it is still hanging from the ceiling after the theatre opened in March of 1929. The Latonia had a Wurlitzer organ which has been restored and is in the Venango Museum which used to be the United Post Office building. Nearby are the original gold peacocks that once graced the walls of the Latonia Theatre.
What is in the former Mayland Theatre site now? And does anyone know if June 9th is the date of the annual Mayfield Heights car cruise-in? Sure would be nice to see this theatre and marquee operating for that event as it would certainly add to a nostalgic car weekend.
LOL! I thought about adding that comment to my post! I think the original looking front doors are beautiful so I look forward to seeing them. They remind me of what one might have seen at the old Greyhound Bus Terminals. Check out www.roadsidearchitecture.com
Would love to see a vintage photo of this theatre’s exterior and interior!
A good friend of mine whose father managed this theatre in the 40’s met Lucille Ball when she performed on stage and he always talked about that experience throughout his life time. I only wish I had known this as it would have been fun chatting with him about this special experience!
Lost Memory: Thanks so much for finding and posting the above article with photo which shows that chandelier and the current owners.
Indiana: Miracles do happen so with current owner dedication and TLC this theatre will be used for community gatherings after witnessing, firsthand, a group clean-up effort. After seeing the Latonia, in person, I am amazed that all or most of the EXIT signs still remain and that the unique chandelier still hangs from the ceiling after so many years. Rox and Linda, keep us posted on when you are able to light the chandelier in all of its former glory! Also, when you have taken down that partition wall in the balcony area along with relocating the gift shop in the former lobby area. Congratulations upon your purchase and gallant efforts..the soul of the Latonia thanks you as do we.
Mark in NC: When in Asheville again, I shall visit College and look for the “you can make out the outline of the balcony on the one remaining wall that touches the building that was next door”.
Tim: Let us know when your article on Eberson and atmospheric theatres has been published as we’d all love to read it. I especially would as my favorite theatres are Eberson atmospherics followed by art deco ones.
Would love to see an interior photo of the famous Eberson “fist”.
/theaters/354/
Palace Theatre, Canton Ohio
sam_e: Yes, you are right about the parrot being seen in most or all Eberson theatres. The Palace Theatre in Canton OH is on CT and the manager has at least one of these parrots as he showed me one that was in the basement of the theatre. A bit dusty, but all there! I didn’t know the ‘bag of bird seed’ story though!
Were the peacocks an Eberson design? If so, I know of 2 that were in the former Latonia Theatre in Oil City PA but not sure if that theatre was connected with the name Eberson.
Timothy: Your comments about peacocks caught my eye as I recently toured the former Latonia Theatre in Oil City PA and was told this theatre had them. The gold peacocks have been restored and are now in the town’s museum along with the originally restored Wurlitzer organ.
Would still love to see a photo of this theatre!
I just sent Roxanne an email to let her know of your recent May 24, 2007 post and Latonia knowledge with photos as we’d all love to see the marquee or one like it. Thanks so very much.
Truman: My email address is located on my profile page so if you want to email me I can provide you with Roxanne’s email address. Please title your email LATONIA so I will not accidentally delete it.
Bryan: Can the grand staircase, auditorium and lobby photos on your July 29, 2004 post still be viewed?
It’s a shame that this City lost this theatre, but there is always the newly opened Johnny’s Lunch. The original one started in 1936 in Jamestown NY and is still operating today. Stop in a have a great hot dog when in Toledo Ohio.
And with the name WARNER, I wonder if there is any Warner history connected to this theatre. I would guess that there is a connection so would like to read about it.
Nice to know that the structure is still there though after reading “there is a large overhead door in the back of the theater now for trucks to enter and exit” sounds like it is still the Mid City Truck and Auto Repair business. Would be interesting to have someone get inside and take some photos to see if anthing “theatre” remains. It’s a shame that this university town didn’t keep their theatre.
Truman: What can you tell us about the marquee? Correction: The theatre was cut horizonally with a cement floor above the original main floor level so now when you enter the theatre you are much closer to the top of the stage opening and chandelier as it hangs above your head. It is a miracle that this chandelier is still in the theatre though it needs to be cleaned, replace missing panels and lighted with new wiring.
Truman: You must contact Roxanne at the Latonia as she would love to hear your stories!! As you may or may not know, the Latonia was cut in half, vertically when a furniture store entered the picture, but Roxanne has great plans for the Latonia in the near future despite what previous owners chose to do in ‘72 after the theatre closed for the last time in '69 with the Sound of Music. She being an historian she has done much research and is willing to learn more about this grand theatre.
I see that a “Ken McIntyre” originally added this theatre. If he is a local Oil City resident, he might want to contact the current co-owners.
Sportster: Were you, by chance, at the Latonia clean up day? You seem to know alot about the theatre and would like to think you know the whereabouts of old photos showing the marquee? One of the co-owners, Roxanne is an historian and would most certainly appreciate seeing any additional existing photos of the Latonia in its early days. And while viewing some of the b/w photos she didn’t have one of the chandelier as it looked when the Latonia was first opened in 1929.
I went to Oil City and helped clean this theatre, met the new co-owners, Linda and Roxanne and received a tour. The town also had the Lyric and the Drake theatres. The Drake still stands today, but is closed. The chandelier is spectacular and is a miracle that it is still hanging from the ceiling after the theatre opened in March of 1929. The Latonia had a Wurlitzer organ which has been restored and is in the Venango Museum which used to be the United Post Office building. Nearby are the original gold peacocks that once graced the walls of the Latonia Theatre.
What is in the former Mayland Theatre site now? And does anyone know if June 9th is the date of the annual Mayfield Heights car cruise-in? Sure would be nice to see this theatre and marquee operating for that event as it would certainly add to a nostalgic car weekend.
LOL! I thought about adding that comment to my post! I think the original looking front doors are beautiful so I look forward to seeing them. They remind me of what one might have seen at the old Greyhound Bus Terminals. Check out www.roadsidearchitecture.com