I visited recently and the auditorium is lovely and perfect for movies or as a performance venue. They’ve also added a dining area on the side in the theme of a retro diner, and a little box office / gift shop that has lots of neat stuff. Everyone there is super friendly so please go visit them! :)
Went inside on my latest visit to Charleston. Doesn’t look vey theatrical at all inside, but there is some crown molding near the entrance that looks vaguely “snack bar esque.” Peeked into a back room that seems to have a bit of original flavor (looks old.)
Looks like it’s currently operating as a legitimate house / theatre nowadays, hosting tours and stuff, not just as a rental hall. https://tafttheatre.org/
I was in Brownsville today and popped into their little museum. They had an organ on display and the docent told me it had been in one of the downtown theatres, but it certainly wasn’t a pipe organ. Looked like an old parlor organ. If they have a larger theatre organ, he didn’t mention it. I didn’t notice a brand on the organ. Sorry no pictures, photography in the museum was discouraged and I wanted to be friendly.
In today’s Morgantown paper, 12-29-2021, an article appeared that two men have purchased (?) the theatre and wish to restore. Apparently, Dan Coffey, architect who has worked on theatre restorations in Chicago has already visited. This is terrific news and I hope the theatre may be saved. It has had several problems since closing in 2010, including water and vandalism.
It was a nice day so I drove out there this afternoon to see if any theatre-like buildings were still in town. There were a few possible candidates, I guess, but nothing obviously a theatre. I’ll keep looking for a more accurate address.
An old-timer in Osage once told me that there used to be three places in Osage to see a movie. This probably would have been in the 1930s. There are several candidates in “downtown” Osage that might have been little theatres. A lot of buildings have been torn down but plenty remain.
A historic marker on the Maute Theatre suggests that it and the Aladdin are one in the same (see photo I uploaded)
Address should be updated to 415. If the building at 411 was the Aladdin as mentioned above, it is also still standing.
I visited recently and the auditorium is lovely and perfect for movies or as a performance venue. They’ve also added a dining area on the side in the theme of a retro diner, and a little box office / gift shop that has lots of neat stuff. Everyone there is super friendly so please go visit them! :)
I was mistaken it wasn’t children’s theatre, it is now a office for children’s neurology!
https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/locations/takoma-theatre
But, I’m happy to say that the building is in use.
I was there a few months ago and it was hosting Children’s Theatre rehearsals at the time. It also has a coffee shop.
Article from October 2023 says conversion-back-to-a-theatre plans are no more. :(
https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/plans-turn-old-bally-fitness-into-movie-theater-fall-through/275SXTSISZGQTIOSMATCQMGHPU/
The news says it’s currently on fire :(
Went inside on my latest visit to Charleston. Doesn’t look vey theatrical at all inside, but there is some crown molding near the entrance that looks vaguely “snack bar esque.” Peeked into a back room that seems to have a bit of original flavor (looks old.)
Thank you Joe for this interesting information. I happened to come across the program at an estate sale and had never heard of the place!
Can anyone direct me to the origin of this image? I’d like to see a close-up.
@Joe Vogel the NRHP registration is how I found the address but I couldn’t find much more information except my ticket stub.
Visited this past weekend and a poster indicated they are occasionally screening movies.
Lazarus is long gone now, too.
Looks like they’re holding occasional live music events.
Looks like it’s currently operating as a legitimate house / theatre nowadays, hosting tours and stuff, not just as a rental hall. https://tafttheatre.org/
Address is approx. 7049 KY-122, Drift, KY 41619
City directory lists the address as 309 Wood St., but I guess that’s the other side of the building.
*Sanborn
I was in Brownsville today and popped into their little museum. They had an organ on display and the docent told me it had been in one of the downtown theatres, but it certainly wasn’t a pipe organ. Looked like an old parlor organ. If they have a larger theatre organ, he didn’t mention it. I didn’t notice a brand on the organ. Sorry no pictures, photography in the museum was discouraged and I wanted to be friendly.
In today’s Morgantown paper, 12-29-2021, an article appeared that two men have purchased (?) the theatre and wish to restore. Apparently, Dan Coffey, architect who has worked on theatre restorations in Chicago has already visited. This is terrific news and I hope the theatre may be saved. It has had several problems since closing in 2010, including water and vandalism.
A 1947 issue of Box Office mentions a “Strand” theatre in Scottdale.
Putted around Farmington this afternoon but didn’t see any obviously theatrical-looking buildings.
It was a nice day so I drove out there this afternoon to see if any theatre-like buildings were still in town. There were a few possible candidates, I guess, but nothing obviously a theatre. I’ll keep looking for a more accurate address.
WVU Libraries have this picture of the “theatre and amusement hall” in Scarbro.
https://wvhistoryonview.org/catalog/002862
An old-timer in Osage once told me that there used to be three places in Osage to see a movie. This probably would have been in the 1930s. There are several candidates in “downtown” Osage that might have been little theatres. A lot of buildings have been torn down but plenty remain.