In 1897 according to the Vindicator the interior was gutted and completely remodeled by Heller Brothers:
“Every inch of the old interior will be torn out , and the new theater will be fitted up in the most approved manner. The plans contemplate a larger seating capacity on the first floor and also in the first balcony. Toilet and reception rooms for the ladies and toilet and smoking compartments for gentlemen will be features that patrons will surely appreciate.
The stage will be better arranged, new open boxes will be added, a complete set of new scenery and stage equipments will be secured …”
Vindicator July 25, 1897 page 2.
The most complete description of the Grand Opera House after the remodeling:
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YA1IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=34AMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1400%2C2212403 from the Vindicator for August 29, 1897.
October 10, 1897 Vindicator at page 8 another complete description complete with seating chart: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zg1IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=34AMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6679%2C3178620
for the first floor.
My next project is to find out when it added movies.
Received the following e-mail from the Mahoning Valley Historical Society regarding the Grand Opera House:
Thank you for your query concerning the Grand Opera House here in Youngstown.
The Opera House was organized in July 1872 and the grand opening was held 20-27 February 1874. We have an original program card from the February 23rd performance of “Richelieu.” P. Ross Berry is credited with being the masonry contractor. Vindicator articles include: February 20, 1874 page 5 col. 2; Feb. 27, 1874 page 5 col. 3.
There is a description of the original layout in the History of Trumbull and Mahoning Counties published by H. Z. Williams, 1882, Volume 1 page 378 supposedly written by John Edwards.
The Heller Brothers handled renovations. There are a number of articles regarding the renovations: July 25, 1897 page 2; August 29, 1897 page 2 and Oct. 10, 1897 page 8 all in the Vindicator. The layout of the Opera House after renovations was published in the 1897 Youngstown City Directory.
There were performances up into 1918 but I could not find a “last performance” date. Likewise I could not find a definite demolition date, although it was sometime between 1918-1924. Mahoning National Bank built their new building in 1924 and First Baptist Church held their cornerstone laying in March 1925 so the Opera House was gone by then.
There was mention of an article in April 29, 1928 Vindicator about Chubb Sullivan and Josephine Gassman claiming original flooring and partitions from the stage, dressing rooms and boxes to be incorporated into a new home they were having constructed. (we don’t have the clipping, just a typed transcript of part of the article).
We do have descriptions of the painted curtain in use at the Opera House and many clippings for acts which appeared there.
Sincerely,
Pamela L. Speis
Archivist
Mahoning Valley Historical Society
648 Wick Avenue
Youngstown, OH 44502
telephone: 330-743-2589
e-mail:
Web: www.mahoninghistory.org
NOTE: Heller Brothers was responsible for building many of Youngstown’s theaters.
As to the firm that drafted the prints, I still haven’t been able to find out anything.
While doing research on another local theater, I came across an ad for the Liberty Cafateria in 1921 when the Paramount was still known as the Liberty, and according to the ad, the Liberty Cafateria was located in the basemant of the theater, and judging by the menu it served upscale food, and even had its own orchestra.
Because this restraunt was in the theater, I’ve placed a copy of the ad i the photos section for this theater.
It was situated across the street from the Park Theatre on South Champion Street and started out as a vaudeville house later adding movies. it was a small house, about 1300 seats and had a balcony.
By the 1930’s it started burlesque along with movies.
It was also known as the Esquire Theatre and later when it was doing strictly burlesque, it was known as The Grand, and as The Grand it survived until the late 1940’s when it was demolished and burlesque was moved over to the Park Theatre.
I do have a painting of the front of the Princess/Esquire on my webshots site, but don’t know if there are any actual photos available.
Throughout its life which dated back to the 1907 period it never was a part of any significant theatrical circuit but saw an article that claimed that Red Skelton in his younger years played there at least once.
One noteable thing about the Princess in its early years was that it ran large ads in the Vindicator
which means that it was well promoted but just couldn’t compete with the Park which was bring in
major shows and performers.
In a search through the Vindicator for 1918 the Grand Opera House ads appear through April of that year then nothing so it appears that by May, 1918 it was closed. The interesting thing is that in all the 1918 ads it was reverting to its original purpose by presenting road show plays that would run for a week, and two shows featuring Blackstone and Thurston, two famous magicians. Obviously with so many other first run houses downtown it couldn’t any longer compete with them in showing movies. I still have to find an article about it being torn down as that might furnish us with more information about its history. Unfortunately the Vindicator does not index its articles, so that means going through every paper for 1924 page at a time.
First a question. In the photos of the Paramount stage the pipe organ is situated up against the back wall as are the pipes. Now I know that the organ itself can be placed anywhere … down in the orchestra pit being an example, and having the pipes behind the screen would make it an ideal spot, but was the organ there from the beginning, or was it just moved there later on. If so, there must not have been much room left what with the large sound equipment that was also behind the screen.
Next, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the folks at Cinematreasures who have contributed to my better understanding of theaters, you’re great folks.
There were two Bijou theaters in downtown Youngstown, one on central square next to the First National Bank, and the other shown in Sanborn Fire Insurance maps that was located on the far end of East Federal. Obviously the two couldn’t have been open at the same time, and the Bijou next to the bank seems to have been the earlier Bijou, so if anyone can supply the date when Warner was involved with a Bijou theater, it
would be helpful. Perhalps Mr. Oberlenter could help solve this mystery.
The problem we have is that over the years there were a number of downtown theaters that came and went with no fanfare that we could locate other than ads on the theater pages of the Vindicator. These were in many cases theaters that ran films and did vaudville but didn’t last long, and only a very small number of them got any textual publicity.
Again, back to the Regent, it did have a nice marquee, and next to it was a radio repair shop. In the early 1960’s I worked at a store a few doors up from the Regent which by that time as I said was showing Spanish films.
It was torn down under urban renewal in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s.
It wad located on East Federal between Walnut and Watt Streets. I was only in there once to see a picture. During its last years it was running Spanish pictures and the theater wsn’t in the best of shape, but for a small theater it had a large projection booth that was in good condition and well equipped.
As to seating capacity, I have no idea and wouldn’t want to speculate, but was most likely under 1000.
Ron: In pouring over the Youngstown Vindicator for 1918, the year the Library said the theater closed, the Grand Opera House had reverted to presenting live stage plays and a couple of magic shows with Blackstone and Thurston, and after April 1918 found no further ads for it.
I just wonder if at some point the original seats were removed and new one installed which might account for numbers differences?
My next project will be to search through the 1925 Vindicator to see if a story exists about when exactly it was torn down.
A third source confirms the 1400 seat arrangement, namely the Youngstown Public Library. Here is the message they sent to me:
Source: ‘Grand Opera House enjoyed 44-year run before being upstaged by newer theaters’. Valley Voice 6/17-23/2005 page 27. “The theater seated 1,400, but on speacial occasions, it could hold 2,000.” “The opera house closed in 1918,” The building was torn down in 1925. As you can see, we found the year of closing as a theater; we were unable to locate an exact month or day.
A third source confirms the 1400 seat arrangement, namely the Youngstown Public Library. Here is the message they sent to me:
Source: ‘Grand Opera House enjoyed 44-year run before being upstaged by newer theaters’. Valley Voice 6/17-23/2005 page 27. “The theater seated 1,400, but on speacial occasions, it could hold 2,000.” “The opera house closed in 1918,” The building was torn down in 1925. As you can see, we found the year of closing as a theater; we were unable to locate an exact month or day.
Mr. Vogel, could you please help me locate information on a number of Youngstown’s early theaters that do not have their own page here. I have found ads for many, but have drawn a blank on information. Alvin; Lyric; Bijou; Rex; Star; Dreamland; and Edison to name seven.
My webshots site has ads for these theaters, and most likely some of them were nicolodians while others were both live and movies.
Any help you can give would be hugely appreciated.
There was also a Palace theater prior to the Keath-Albee that was located on East Federal during the silent film era.
In his book “A Twentith Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio” at page 157, published in 1907. Thomas Sanderson clearly states that the Grand Opera House seated 1400 people, and since he was living at the time, and attended shows at the Grand Opera House, he was well aware of its seating capacity.
I’ll check through my photofile to see if I have a color postcard showing the theater. I have over 1500 historic photos so it will take some time, but from what black and white photos I have on my web site it does appear to have been white.
As to the seating capacity, the Mahoning Valley Historic Society says 1400, not 900, and I don’t see how they could be wrong since they have an extensive collection of material on the theater as well as an extensive collection of material on P. Ross Berry.
And yes, it did have a balcony referred to as the “Dress Circle” After closing as a theater, the auditorium became the sancuary for the First Baptist Church until the building was purchased by the Mahoning National Bank which saved only the shell of the building in the late 1950’s.
One in the same, but the most common name as shown in its ads was the Grand Opera House. From what I understand for its day, it was a fancy house. As to the date of its opening the 1872 is a matter of historic record via The Mahoning Valley Historical Society which has a large collection of material from
this theater, and the P. Ross Berry who built the theater.
In his book “A Heritage To Share”, Howard Aley on page 95 gives this description based on Mahoning Valley Historical Society archives:
“The impressive structure had an iron front, 110 feet in length and was 78 feet in depth. The interior was 74 feet square with regular seating capacity of 1400, but on special occassions it held 2000. The thirty by
fourty foot stage was served by two "commodious and neatly furnished dressing rooms.”
The ceiling was decorated with allegorical figures representing music, poetry, tragety, and painting, all artistically and tastefully done, and renewed from time to time to keep the attraction in excelent condition."
By the way a copy of the seating chart can be found in the picture section for this theater, so as you will see, the 900 seating capacity is not correct.
Wayne, in regards to your comment on Youngstown audiences, they were sticklers for perfection and would not settle for second best, and over the years many performers were booed off the stage.
There is a report that in the dressing room of a Broadway theater someone wrote: “If you think you’re good, try playing Youngstown, Ohio.”
I’ve tried to search out the authenticity of this story and which New York theater this was at, but couldn’t verify it, but hopefully someone can verify it.
Wayne, in regards to your comment on Youngstown audiences, they were sticklers for perfection and would not settle for second best, and over the years many performers were booed off the stage.
There is a report that in the dressing room of a Broadway theater someone wrote: “If you think you’re good, try playing Youngstown, Ohio.”
I’ve tried to search out the authenticity of this story and which New York theater this was at, but couldn’t verify it, but hopefully someone can verify it.
In 1897 according to the Vindicator the interior was gutted and completely remodeled by Heller Brothers:
“Every inch of the old interior will be torn out , and the new theater will be fitted up in the most approved manner. The plans contemplate a larger seating capacity on the first floor and also in the first balcony. Toilet and reception rooms for the ladies and toilet and smoking compartments for gentlemen will be features that patrons will surely appreciate. The stage will be better arranged, new open boxes will be added, a complete set of new scenery and stage equipments will be secured …”
Vindicator July 25, 1897 page 2.
The most complete description of the Grand Opera House after the remodeling: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YA1IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=34AMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1400%2C2212403 from the Vindicator for August 29, 1897.
October 10, 1897 Vindicator at page 8 another complete description complete with seating chart: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zg1IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=34AMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6679%2C3178620 for the first floor.
My next project is to find out when it added movies.
Received the following e-mail from the Mahoning Valley Historical Society regarding the Grand Opera House:
Thank you for your query concerning the Grand Opera House here in Youngstown.
The Opera House was organized in July 1872 and the grand opening was held 20-27 February 1874. We have an original program card from the February 23rd performance of “Richelieu.” P. Ross Berry is credited with being the masonry contractor. Vindicator articles include: February 20, 1874 page 5 col. 2; Feb. 27, 1874 page 5 col. 3.
There is a description of the original layout in the History of Trumbull and Mahoning Counties published by H. Z. Williams, 1882, Volume 1 page 378 supposedly written by John Edwards.
The Heller Brothers handled renovations. There are a number of articles regarding the renovations: July 25, 1897 page 2; August 29, 1897 page 2 and Oct. 10, 1897 page 8 all in the Vindicator. The layout of the Opera House after renovations was published in the 1897 Youngstown City Directory.
There were performances up into 1918 but I could not find a “last performance” date. Likewise I could not find a definite demolition date, although it was sometime between 1918-1924. Mahoning National Bank built their new building in 1924 and First Baptist Church held their cornerstone laying in March 1925 so the Opera House was gone by then.
There was mention of an article in April 29, 1928 Vindicator about Chubb Sullivan and Josephine Gassman claiming original flooring and partitions from the stage, dressing rooms and boxes to be incorporated into a new home they were having constructed. (we don’t have the clipping, just a typed transcript of part of the article).
We do have descriptions of the painted curtain in use at the Opera House and many clippings for acts which appeared there.
Sincerely, Pamela L. Speis Archivist Mahoning Valley Historical Society 648 Wick Avenue Youngstown, OH 44502 telephone: 330-743-2589 e-mail: Web: www.mahoninghistory.org
NOTE: Heller Brothers was responsible for building many of Youngstown’s theaters.
As to the firm that drafted the prints, I still haven’t been able to find out anything.
While doing research on another local theater, I came across an ad for the Liberty Cafateria in 1921 when the Paramount was still known as the Liberty, and according to the ad, the Liberty Cafateria was located in the basemant of the theater, and judging by the menu it served upscale food, and even had its own orchestra.
Because this restraunt was in the theater, I’ve placed a copy of the ad i the photos section for this theater.
Here’s what I know about the Princess.
It was situated across the street from the Park Theatre on South Champion Street and started out as a vaudeville house later adding movies. it was a small house, about 1300 seats and had a balcony.
By the 1930’s it started burlesque along with movies.
It was also known as the Esquire Theatre and later when it was doing strictly burlesque, it was known as The Grand, and as The Grand it survived until the late 1940’s when it was demolished and burlesque was moved over to the Park Theatre.
I do have a painting of the front of the Princess/Esquire on my webshots site, but don’t know if there are any actual photos available.
Throughout its life which dated back to the 1907 period it never was a part of any significant theatrical circuit but saw an article that claimed that Red Skelton in his younger years played there at least once.
One noteable thing about the Princess in its early years was that it ran large ads in the Vindicator which means that it was well promoted but just couldn’t compete with the Park which was bring in major shows and performers.
In a search through the Vindicator for 1918 the Grand Opera House ads appear through April of that year then nothing so it appears that by May, 1918 it was closed. The interesting thing is that in all the 1918 ads it was reverting to its original purpose by presenting road show plays that would run for a week, and two shows featuring Blackstone and Thurston, two famous magicians. Obviously with so many other first run houses downtown it couldn’t any longer compete with them in showing movies. I still have to find an article about it being torn down as that might furnish us with more information about its history. Unfortunately the Vindicator does not index its articles, so that means going through every paper for 1924 page at a time.
First a question. In the photos of the Paramount stage the pipe organ is situated up against the back wall as are the pipes. Now I know that the organ itself can be placed anywhere … down in the orchestra pit being an example, and having the pipes behind the screen would make it an ideal spot, but was the organ there from the beginning, or was it just moved there later on. If so, there must not have been much room left what with the large sound equipment that was also behind the screen.
Next, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the folks at Cinematreasures who have contributed to my better understanding of theaters, you’re great folks.
There were two Bijou theaters in downtown Youngstown, one on central square next to the First National Bank, and the other shown in Sanborn Fire Insurance maps that was located on the far end of East Federal. Obviously the two couldn’t have been open at the same time, and the Bijou next to the bank seems to have been the earlier Bijou, so if anyone can supply the date when Warner was involved with a Bijou theater, it would be helpful. Perhalps Mr. Oberlenter could help solve this mystery.
The problem we have is that over the years there were a number of downtown theaters that came and went with no fanfare that we could locate other than ads on the theater pages of the Vindicator. These were in many cases theaters that ran films and did vaudville but didn’t last long, and only a very small number of them got any textual publicity.
Again, back to the Regent, it did have a nice marquee, and next to it was a radio repair shop. In the early 1960’s I worked at a store a few doors up from the Regent which by that time as I said was showing Spanish films.
It was torn down under urban renewal in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s.
It wad located on East Federal between Walnut and Watt Streets. I was only in there once to see a picture. During its last years it was running Spanish pictures and the theater wsn’t in the best of shape, but for a small theater it had a large projection booth that was in good condition and well equipped.
As to seating capacity, I have no idea and wouldn’t want to speculate, but was most likely under 1000.
Ron: In pouring over the Youngstown Vindicator for 1918, the year the Library said the theater closed, the Grand Opera House had reverted to presenting live stage plays and a couple of magic shows with Blackstone and Thurston, and after April 1918 found no further ads for it.
I just wonder if at some point the original seats were removed and new one installed which might account for numbers differences?
My next project will be to search through the 1925 Vindicator to see if a story exists about when exactly it was torn down.
A third source confirms the 1400 seat arrangement, namely the Youngstown Public Library. Here is the message they sent to me:
Source: ‘Grand Opera House enjoyed 44-year run before being upstaged by newer theaters’. Valley Voice 6/17-23/2005 page 27. “The theater seated 1,400, but on speacial occasions, it could hold 2,000.” “The opera house closed in 1918,” The building was torn down in 1925. As you can see, we found the year of closing as a theater; we were unable to locate an exact month or day.
A third source confirms the 1400 seat arrangement, namely the Youngstown Public Library. Here is the message they sent to me:
Source: ‘Grand Opera House enjoyed 44-year run before being upstaged by newer theaters’. Valley Voice 6/17-23/2005 page 27. “The theater seated 1,400, but on speacial occasions, it could hold 2,000.” “The opera house closed in 1918,” The building was torn down in 1925. As you can see, we found the year of closing as a theater; we were unable to locate an exact month or day.
Mr. Vogel, could you please help me locate information on a number of Youngstown’s early theaters that do not have their own page here. I have found ads for many, but have drawn a blank on information. Alvin; Lyric; Bijou; Rex; Star; Dreamland; and Edison to name seven.
My webshots site has ads for these theaters, and most likely some of them were nicolodians while others were both live and movies.
Any help you can give would be hugely appreciated.
There was also a Palace theater prior to the Keath-Albee that was located on East Federal during the silent film era.
In his book “A Twentith Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio” at page 157, published in 1907. Thomas Sanderson clearly states that the Grand Opera House seated 1400 people, and since he was living at the time, and attended shows at the Grand Opera House, he was well aware of its seating capacity.
If you notice, the front of the theater underwent a change between when the photo was taken in 1889, and when the postcard was published.
Found a tinted postcard showing the theater and have added it to the photos section above.
I’ll check through my photofile to see if I have a color postcard showing the theater. I have over 1500 historic photos so it will take some time, but from what black and white photos I have on my web site it does appear to have been white.
As to the seating capacity, the Mahoning Valley Historic Society says 1400, not 900, and I don’t see how they could be wrong since they have an extensive collection of material on the theater as well as an extensive collection of material on P. Ross Berry.
And yes, it did have a balcony referred to as the “Dress Circle” After closing as a theater, the auditorium became the sancuary for the First Baptist Church until the building was purchased by the Mahoning National Bank which saved only the shell of the building in the late 1950’s.
I have posted an ad from the Sam Warner era of the Grand Opera House.
It also went by the name Youngstown Opera House.
One in the same, but the most common name as shown in its ads was the Grand Opera House. From what I understand for its day, it was a fancy house. As to the date of its opening the 1872 is a matter of historic record via The Mahoning Valley Historical Society which has a large collection of material from this theater, and the P. Ross Berry who built the theater.
In his book “A Heritage To Share”, Howard Aley on page 95 gives this description based on Mahoning Valley Historical Society archives:
“The impressive structure had an iron front, 110 feet in length and was 78 feet in depth. The interior was 74 feet square with regular seating capacity of 1400, but on special occassions it held 2000. The thirty by fourty foot stage was served by two "commodious and neatly furnished dressing rooms.”
The ceiling was decorated with allegorical figures representing music, poetry, tragety, and painting, all artistically and tastefully done, and renewed from time to time to keep the attraction in excelent condition."
By the way a copy of the seating chart can be found in the picture section for this theater, so as you will see, the 900 seating capacity is not correct.
Wayne, in regards to your comment on Youngstown audiences, they were sticklers for perfection and would not settle for second best, and over the years many performers were booed off the stage.
There is a report that in the dressing room of a Broadway theater someone wrote: “If you think you’re good, try playing Youngstown, Ohio.”
I’ve tried to search out the authenticity of this story and which New York theater this was at, but couldn’t verify it, but hopefully someone can verify it.
Wayne, in regards to your comment on Youngstown audiences, they were sticklers for perfection and would not settle for second best, and over the years many performers were booed off the stage.
There is a report that in the dressing room of a Broadway theater someone wrote: “If you think you’re good, try playing Youngstown, Ohio.”
I’ve tried to search out the authenticity of this story and which New York theater this was at, but couldn’t verify it, but hopefully someone can verify it.
Here is the link to another article about the ice show.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BENJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DYQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=974%2C1498756
Burkesneice, in the photo section for this theater I’ve placed a copy of the ad for you.
Hope that the link and photo help.