The building suffered serious damage as the result of the 1955 flood, and had to be taken down. The Route 8 highway goes over the spot where the Alcazar had been.
In the 1960’s the owner of this theater changed the name to “Shelton Fine Arts Theatre”. It had sunk to the point where it showed Adult Films.
It had sunk that low. (It was not a chain)
I have just added three post card views of the Ansonia Opera House.
They are as follows:
1)dated 1905, a black & white, that took up 2/3’s of the card, and is cropped for the image
2) circa 1910, a color image, showing more detail
3) circa 1950’s b/w real photo post card, full frontal
The ‘Tremont Theater’ was on the southwesterly corner of Main & Tremont Sts.
Following the “Flood of ‘55”, in the '60’s 'Reconstruction" razed virtually all the buildings south of Tremont Street, down to front Street in Ansonia. A Mall and other retail buildings, took their place. That Mall subsequently folded, and a mini-mega store area has taken it’s place.
The ‘Pastime Theatre", according to my father (born 1907 – passed away 9 years ago) was on the 2nd floor of the building across the street from the 'Opera House’. That building is still there today. It is the white 2 story in the street view, to the far left of what once was the bank.
He used to go there as a young boy (and to the “Opera House') to watch movies.
The ‘Tremont Theater’ was located on the south westerly corner of Main & Tremont Sts., a good ¼ mile South of this location.
Just thought I’d add my 2 cents, and clear up some things.
The Capitol Theatre lobby was in the ‘Capitol Building" facing Main Street. It is a long building that has (had) stores on the first floor, and offices on the second floor. Water St., to the North was the end of that building.
There were two (2) separate buildings comprising the entire ‘Theatre’.
The ‘Theatre’ itself (which was very ornate, with fresco paintings on the ceilings & walls, and a large balcony, and box seats on the sides) was in a separate building that is now Senior Housing, and the Senior Center, on West Main St.
This building also bordered on Water street. You could walk down an alley on Water Street to get to the side entrance of the theatre. That entrance is now used as a side entrance to the Senior Center.
The Center Drive-In opened in the early 1950’s as I recall, and was located on the South side of Division St., along the Naugatuck river, just West of the Division Street bridge.
It was a very large area, and took up all of what is now BJ’s and the McDonald’s.
After the “Flood of ‘55”, the screen was re-built, the concession stand was cleaned up, repainted, etc. It operated for several years after that, into the 1960’s. Subsequently, it became a golf driving range for a few years.
The photo from Ken, in the URL was cut down,and is from a full color post card that was published circa 1910. As stated by Lost Memory, and Shoeshoe, this theatre was in the Grove at Savin Rock, which was an amusement park along the shore, in the small city of West Haven CT.
Savin Rock was the type of amusement park that you did not have to pay an admission charge. You could walk down Beach Street, check out the booths (naturally gambling, and most likely rigged). If you wanted to go on a ride, or merry-go-round, whatever, you paid right there. There was also a section called “White City” where you did have to pay an admission, and years ago, there was also two (2) Theatres there as well. The Orpheum was one, and the Airdome Theatre where Vaudeville & Motion Pictures were shown. And, as mentioned above, there also was “The Grove” where the Mitchell was located. All these places, you paid for the individual booth, attraction, Ferris Wheel, Roller Coaster, etc. Except for White City. Savin Rock’s demise in the early 1960’s came about due to Reconstruction, and ‘land grabbing’ for profit. But, that is a story for another ‘book’.
I wish I knew how to post a URL on this site. I have many theaters on post cards that y'all might like to see. (some time back, I commented on a theatre in Avon, NY, and was asked to sent a pic so he would post it. I did so, and have not seen it on the Avon page yet.
I don’t know where the date 1935 came from, nor do I remember it burning down in 1949.
The theatre definitely was not there 1946 or earlier, as 1947 was tho only year we did not Summer there.
My (old age) recollection was that it opened sometime in 1949 or 1950. 1951 seems to be a bit late for my years.
I would like to make a few corrections to the above information, and add some additional.
1) The street was never ‘Main St.’ It originally had been ‘Virginia Street’ and later re-named ‘Old Virginia Street’. The confusion may have been due to the small town only having two main streets, ‘Old Virginia St’, and ‘Cross St.'
2) it was located East of a newer building, which is the state owned, 'Virginia ABC Store’ (the State of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Commission").
3) Confusion in the seating capacity: More likely there was capacity for 225 seats, and not 500. The population of the entire town was only about 500 back then.
4) The map has the spot (A) wrong. The theatre was more easterly, and closer to Cross St, just about 150 ft. after Upton Place.
Additional Info:
a) It was not a chain, but privately owned.
b) The spot is a vacant lot, next door to (East, or right facing) the ABC store.
I would be most appreciative if anyone that has a post card, or even a photo, of this theatre from back then would share it with me. I have seen a later photo, but it is washed out, and sort of pinkish, which it was not back then,
Thank you for this opportunity,
Dave W>
The building suffered serious damage as the result of the 1955 flood, and had to be taken down. The Route 8 highway goes over the spot where the Alcazar had been.
In the 1960’s the owner of this theater changed the name to “Shelton Fine Arts Theatre”. It had sunk to the point where it showed Adult Films. It had sunk that low. (It was not a chain)
As a theater, that was it’s ‘Last Hurrah’.
Have added a color post card view of the Capitol Theater from the 1920’s
I have just added three post card views of the Ansonia Opera House. They are as follows:
1)dated 1905, a black & white, that took up 2/3’s of the card, and is cropped for the image 2) circa 1910, a color image, showing more detail 3) circa 1950’s b/w real photo post card, full frontal
I have just posted two post card views from the 1920’s showing this Theater.
The first is a distance shot, of, and looking up (northerly) Elizabeth St., Derby. The Commodore Hull Theater can be seen up on the right.
The 2nd is a closeup of the building showing the Marquee, and the entrance.
The ‘Tremont Theater’ was on the southwesterly corner of Main & Tremont Sts. Following the “Flood of ‘55”, in the '60’s 'Reconstruction" razed virtually all the buildings south of Tremont Street, down to front Street in Ansonia. A Mall and other retail buildings, took their place. That Mall subsequently folded, and a mini-mega store area has taken it’s place.
The ‘Pastime Theatre", according to my father (born 1907 – passed away 9 years ago) was on the 2nd floor of the building across the street from the 'Opera House’. That building is still there today. It is the white 2 story in the street view, to the far left of what once was the bank.
He used to go there as a young boy (and to the “Opera House') to watch movies.
The ‘Tremont Theater’ was located on the south westerly corner of Main & Tremont Sts., a good ¼ mile South of this location.
Just thought I’d add my 2 cents, and clear up some things.
The Capitol Theatre lobby was in the ‘Capitol Building" facing Main Street. It is a long building that has (had) stores on the first floor, and offices on the second floor. Water St., to the North was the end of that building.
There were two (2) separate buildings comprising the entire ‘Theatre’.
The ‘Theatre’ itself (which was very ornate, with fresco paintings on the ceilings & walls, and a large balcony, and box seats on the sides) was in a separate building that is now Senior Housing, and the Senior Center, on West Main St.
This building also bordered on Water street. You could walk down an alley on Water Street to get to the side entrance of the theatre. That entrance is now used as a side entrance to the Senior Center.
The Center Drive-In opened in the early 1950’s as I recall, and was located on the South side of Division St., along the Naugatuck river, just West of the Division Street bridge.
It was a very large area, and took up all of what is now BJ’s and the McDonald’s.
After the “Flood of ‘55”, the screen was re-built, the concession stand was cleaned up, repainted, etc. It operated for several years after that, into the 1960’s. Subsequently, it became a golf driving range for a few years.
The photo from Ken, in the URL was cut down,and is from a full color post card that was published circa 1910.
As stated by Lost Memory, and Shoeshoe, this theatre was in the Grove at Savin Rock, which was an amusement park along the shore, in the small city of West Haven CT.
Savin Rock was the type of amusement park that you did not have to pay an admission charge. You could walk down Beach Street, check out the booths (naturally gambling, and most likely rigged). If you wanted to go on a ride, or merry-go-round, whatever, you paid right there.
There was also a section called “White City” where you did have to pay an admission, and years ago, there was also two (2) Theatres there as well. The Orpheum was one, and the Airdome Theatre where Vaudeville & Motion Pictures were shown.
And, as mentioned above, there also was “The Grove” where the Mitchell was located. All these places, you paid for the individual booth, attraction, Ferris Wheel, Roller Coaster, etc. Except for White City.
Savin Rock’s demise in the early 1960’s came about due to Reconstruction, and ‘land grabbing’ for profit. But, that is a story for another ‘book’.
I wish I knew how to post a URL on this site. I have many theaters on post cards that y'all might like to see. (some time back, I commented on a theatre in Avon, NY, and was asked to sent a pic so he would post it. I did so, and have not seen it on the Avon page yet.
I don’t know where the date 1935 came from, nor do I remember it burning down in 1949.
The theatre definitely was not there 1946 or earlier, as 1947 was tho only year we did not Summer there.
My (old age) recollection was that it opened sometime in 1949 or 1950. 1951 seems to be a bit late for my years.
I would like to make a few corrections to the above information, and add some additional.
1) The street was never ‘Main St.’ It originally had been ‘Virginia Street’ and later re-named ‘Old Virginia Street’. The confusion may have been due to the small town only having two main streets, ‘Old Virginia St’, and ‘Cross St.'
2) it was located East of a newer building, which is the state owned, 'Virginia ABC Store’ (the State of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Commission").
3) Confusion in the seating capacity: More likely there was capacity for 225 seats, and not 500. The population of the entire town was only about 500 back then.
4) The map has the spot (A) wrong. The theatre was more easterly, and closer to Cross St, just about 150 ft. after Upton Place.
Additional Info:
a) It was not a chain, but privately owned.
b) The spot is a vacant lot, next door to (East, or right facing) the ABC store.
I would be most appreciative if anyone that has a post card, or even a photo, of this theatre from back then would share it with me. I have seen a later photo, but it is washed out, and sort of pinkish, which it was not back then,
Thank you for this opportunity,
Dave W>