Sorry if the link I just posted is not in blue to simply tap on it. It is worth reading. Can’t tell you how pleased I am to see this theatre finally being restored in downtown Charlotte! When I moved to Charlotte in 2003 I knew that it had been quite the theatre in its heyday and that it was worth saving. Thank goodness it was never demolished then and is now being restored for future generations. There were many Carolina Theatres throughout NC and many are listed as closed. Such a shame. I haven’t posted on CT for quite awhile though feel it is time to start posting again on a site that is close to my heart. Thank you Ross for creating CT for all of us theatre buffs. Btw, I hope to have a theatre exhibit in September in remembrance of my hometown theatre, the Grand in Westfield NY though COVID may require changes in the plan. The Grand is listed on CT. Check it out.
Thank you, Joe. That is the building. The May Theatre was street level and to the left. Mayville is the county seat with the county courthouse and county prison nearby.
These theatres were before my time though it is my understanding that the May Theatre and the Carlson (Swetland Opera House) were 2 separate theatres on Erie Street. Interesting to read about the flat flooring as the Swetland was turned into apartments years ago. Mayville is the county seat and Erie Street is the main street that travels North to South giving travelers a view of nearby Chautauqua Lake. This lake is not part of the Finger Lakes. And yes, the May Theatre should have its own page on CT. I have always wanted to enter the former Swetland building as someone’s apt. must be part of the auditorium. And there had to have been a stage. The Blatt Bros. mentioned also owned The Grand Theatre in nearby Westfield NY. The Grand is listed on CT. It was art deco in design and the architect was Michael DeAngelis.
Michael DeAngelis designed my hometown theatre, the art deco Grand Theatre in Westfield NY. It was demolished after 40 years due to it closing and subsequent neglect. It had a curved marquee. My husband and I are hoping to have a Remembering the Grand this Fall with collected menorabilia donated by locals as there was an auction prior to demolition. The letter R was located right in the town so it will be the lighted featured piece. I found 500 tickets on eBay so a ticket will be given to attendees upon entering the exhibit. If you live in Western NYS, and are interested, my email is
The Grand in Wellsville is in a quaint central NYS town. Does anyone know the current status of this theatre? When last I visited the Grand had been twinned with the balcony area enclosed to show another movie.
Pleased to read that its Wurlitzer is still there and operational. They were built in North Tonawanda NY with the demonstration organ in the Riviera Theatre in NT for prospective buyers. There is a Wurlitzer in most surviving theatres in the Buffalo NY area.
Welcome to CT. I think whoever added this theatre wrote the historical piece. Not sure if it can be or should be changed though you certainly can add current information in your posts going forward.
Went through Cuba today. Mural on a brick wall depicts the theatre that once appeared on Main Street with its marquee.
www.driveinmovie.com
A great asset and a very long time coming.
Sorry if the link I just posted is not in blue to simply tap on it. It is worth reading. Can’t tell you how pleased I am to see this theatre finally being restored in downtown Charlotte! When I moved to Charlotte in 2003 I knew that it had been quite the theatre in its heyday and that it was worth saving. Thank goodness it was never demolished then and is now being restored for future generations. There were many Carolina Theatres throughout NC and many are listed as closed. Such a shame. I haven’t posted on CT for quite awhile though feel it is time to start posting again on a site that is close to my heart. Thank you Ross for creating CT for all of us theatre buffs. Btw, I hope to have a theatre exhibit in September in remembrance of my hometown theatre, the Grand in Westfield NY though COVID may require changes in the plan. The Grand is listed on CT. Check it out.
https://carolinatheatreclt.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spring-2020-newsletter.pdf
Music to my ears! Btw, this theatre should now be marked as renovating and not closed.
Is the atmospheric feature still intact?
Thank you, Joe. That is the building. The May Theatre was street level and to the left. Mayville is the county seat with the county courthouse and county prison nearby.
These theatres were before my time though it is my understanding that the May Theatre and the Carlson (Swetland Opera House) were 2 separate theatres on Erie Street. Interesting to read about the flat flooring as the Swetland was turned into apartments years ago. Mayville is the county seat and Erie Street is the main street that travels North to South giving travelers a view of nearby Chautauqua Lake. This lake is not part of the Finger Lakes. And yes, the May Theatre should have its own page on CT. I have always wanted to enter the former Swetland building as someone’s apt. must be part of the auditorium. And there had to have been a stage. The Blatt Bros. mentioned also owned The Grand Theatre in nearby Westfield NY. The Grand is listed on CT. It was art deco in design and the architect was Michael DeAngelis.
Michael DeAngelis designed my hometown theatre, the art deco Grand Theatre in Westfield NY. It was demolished after 40 years due to it closing and subsequent neglect. It had a curved marquee. My husband and I are hoping to have a Remembering the Grand this Fall with collected menorabilia donated by locals as there was an auction prior to demolition. The letter R was located right in the town so it will be the lighted featured piece. I found 500 tickets on eBay so a ticket will be given to attendees upon entering the exhibit. If you live in Western NYS, and are interested, my email is
Whatever happened to the Moller organ?
I hope you can arrange to get those 2 pieces of artwork from the Strand done by your grandfather. How did you learn who had them?
Sadly, theatres across the country are now closed due to COVID-19.
The Grand in Wellsville is in a quaint central NYS town. Does anyone know the current status of this theatre? When last I visited the Grand had been twinned with the balcony area enclosed to show another movie.
Pleased to read that its Wurlitzer is still there and operational. They were built in North Tonawanda NY with the demonstration organ in the Riviera Theatre in NT for prospective buyers. There is a Wurlitzer in most surviving theatres in the Buffalo NY area.
If you have more information re: plans in ‘85 to reopen the Grand, please send to and title it Grand Theatre. Thanks.
What is the latest?
Welcome to CT. I think whoever added this theatre wrote the historical piece. Not sure if it can be or should be changed though you certainly can add current information in your posts going forward.
Music to my ears.
Will this theatre ever see a rebirth?
I do not recall these lights in the art deco Grand Theatre of my era.
Still hoping to see the light fixture photo. Have theatre info though after putting it in clipboard I can’t paste it here.
I see 2 more marquees .. the Circle and the Paramount. Talk about a theatre district! What happened to those theatres?
..glowed in the dark..
The 2 round windows above the marquee and ticket kios are distinctive DeAngelis design features.