Ohmann Theatre
65 William Street,
Lyons,
NY
14489
65 William Street,
Lyons,
NY
14489
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The July 10, 1915 issue of The American Contractor said that additional contracts had been awarded for B. C. Ohmann’s new theater under construction at Lyons. The project had been designed by Syracuse architects E. A. Howard & Son.
Here is the description of the new Ohmann Theatre that was published in the December 25, 1915, issue of The Moving Picture World:
Ohmann Theatre update:
New projection system – Film and DVD capabilities
New Sound – Special suround -stereo- digital
New stage sound with a special mixing board –
New Lighting Special stage and Spot lighting
New seating in lower auditorium – original Irwin seats decorative panels-same look today as 1915.
Balcony seating to be refurbished original seats
I visited this theatre in the 1970’s when they had a special showing of “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” with live organ accompaniment. I believe the organ was an electronic model with a console built to resemble that of a real theatre organ, and it sounded good! You would have sworn it was an actual pipe organ. I remember the theatre still had it’s original marquee, and the oak doors going to the auditorium had oval glass panels in them. I glad to hear it will be opening again. I’ll have to visit when I go home for the summer.
I hear the Ohmann Theatre is being remodeled by the origial family. I also hear that the Re-Grand opening will be in 2005.
Is ithe oldest theatre in Western N.Y.?
I first saw the Ohmann theatre about two years after it had been shuttered. The for sale sign was still affixed to the building so naturally I called. The agent (I believe the listing term probably had expired) put me directly in touch with Dave Reynolds — one of two owners. Dave and I talked for maybe 15 minutes at which time I had decided it would have been very difficult for me to turn the Ohmann into a successful operation. The first red flag was, why didn’t they keep the Ohmann operating along with the new five-plex they just built. The second red flag was, why didn’t they build the new complex in Lyons which (I not positive of this, but appearances would indicate it to be fact) has a larger population base than Newark. Finally, Lyons, like many originally manufacturing based towns, looked like it was having difficult times. Memory tells me the asking price for the Ohman in 1994 or 1995, was $37,000.
It was a lot of theatre for a small price. If, however, crowds are small, the last thing you want is a lot of theatre.
To me, the Lyons of today looks better than it did ten years ago so let’s hope the new Ohmann theatre is a success.