Updated history:
Per Raymond Gustafson:
“Judy Garland’s father, Frank Gumm, was the manager of the Temple Theater in Ironwood as well as a singer there in 1912 before he moved to Superior where he met his wife and they then moved to Grand Rapids, MN where Judy was born.”
Per Craig Allen Lewis:
“In 1912, the Temple Theatre was run by W. F. Kelly.”
(so before or after Frank Gumm)
Apparently the theatre burned down in the mid `60s during a run of “Bye Bye Birdie”. Based on the photos and current street view, it had been demolished and the hardware store now occupies the site not the building.
So status should be changed to Demolished.
Two images added as French Casino and Encore Theatre. The latter’s signage would follow Encore Theatre to their next location at 1419 N. Wells in the early `60s.
The Rex Theatre is listed as the Rialto Theatre in “Nearby Theaters” in the right hand column. The address is 31 N. Main Street, the same as the Sherwin-Williams paint store today.
It was renamed the Rialto in 1936.
You can add your photo to that page/link below.
Well I heard back from Cambria Historical Society:
“The current address of the theater is 2222 Main Street, home of the Cambria Gift and Drug Store. At times when it was the theatre it was part of a hardware store as well in that building.”
Scroll right if you go to street view to replicate the current POV of the vintage postcard.
I am going to say the address was 2216 Main Street. Cambria Drug and Gift is now on that site using 2222. As that is the building immediately next door to The French Corner Bakery (2214), which is where the Shell station was. The Shell station driveway is the today bakery’s parking lot. Burton Drive is the side street. The sign and pole on the left that says Cambria Pines Lodge in the postcard is amazingly still there. And says Shale Oak Winery today. Same trapezoid sign box repurposed even!
Via Hank W. Blevins:
“John Patton owned and operated the theater and a appliance store next door. You can see a old wringer washing machine setting out front.”
(Photo added)
September 24, 1929 photo with Merrimack Square Theatre background left of center, from John Street looking down Paige Street via Facebook link below. 3 images including one enlargement. Current POV below that.
Ah, now I get it.
Thank you for the clarification.
That wall does match a photo on the Merrimack page.
BTW I also added a different full size photo to that page below.
Updated history: Per Raymond Gustafson: “Judy Garland’s father, Frank Gumm, was the manager of the Temple Theater in Ironwood as well as a singer there in 1912 before he moved to Superior where he met his wife and they then moved to Grand Rapids, MN where Judy was born.” Per Craig Allen Lewis: “In 1912, the Temple Theatre was run by W. F. Kelly.” (so before or after Frank Gumm)
1920s photo as Rialto Theatre added credit Craig Allen Lewis.
Water Winter Wonderland link with two additional photos.
https://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/movietheaters.aspx?id=1346&type=5
Groundbreaking for the Avon building that replaced it was in July `55 per 2008 comment above.
Apparently the theatre burned down in the mid `60s during a run of “Bye Bye Birdie”. Based on the photos and current street view, it had been demolished and the hardware store now occupies the site not the building. So status should be changed to Demolished.
Two images added as French Casino and Encore Theatre.
The latter’s signage would follow Encore Theatre to their next location at 1419 N. Wells in the early `60s.
Photo credit Erin Hooley/AP.
Photo credit John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune.
1924 photo. The silent version of “The Last of the Duanes”. It would have two subsequent remakes in 1930 and 1941.
1947 photo credit Kurt Hutton, LIFE Magazine Collection.
1947 photo credit Kurt Hutton, LIFE Magazine Collection.
Chicago Tribune link with 20 photos of collapse.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-belvidere-1-dead-40-injured-20230401-gjrnngxdafczdn5dtk72udtsre-story.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News&utm_content=861680372075
The Rex Theatre is listed as the Rialto Theatre in “Nearby Theaters” in the right hand column. The address is 31 N. Main Street, the same as the Sherwin-Williams paint store today. It was renamed the Rialto in 1936. You can add your photo to that page/link below.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/36753
The fire was in the morning on Monday January 30, 1978.
Photos added.
$30 million makeover via Block Club Chicago article below.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/03/24/bridgeports-ramova-theatre-could-debut-this-year-as-concert-venue-restaurant-and-brewery/?fbclid=IwAR2mCBSnGWcIcGylgEa497VRBTJqTLYOMsNid-yyQTa6rQ2aj0-eXroVPeI
Blog with a newly found 1933 fire photo of Green Mill Gardens building next door.
https://www.robertloerzel.com/2023/03/23/the-coolest-spot-in-chicago/?fbclid=IwAR2031jhTQ3w6AKCOw6YC89cmqbGBQOMI-LyhVsOxAxJrx4HCJiUE5IHw6E
Well I heard back from Cambria Historical Society: “The current address of the theater is 2222 Main Street, home of the Cambria Gift and Drug Store. At times when it was the theatre it was part of a hardware store as well in that building.” Scroll right if you go to street view to replicate the current POV of the vintage postcard.
I am going to say the address was 2216 Main Street. Cambria Drug and Gift is now on that site using 2222. As that is the building immediately next door to The French Corner Bakery (2214), which is where the Shell station was. The Shell station driveway is the today bakery’s parking lot. Burton Drive is the side street. The sign and pole on the left that says Cambria Pines Lodge in the postcard is amazingly still there. And says Shale Oak Winery today. Same trapezoid sign box repurposed even!
1947 Kodachrome photo as Estill Theatre added credit Jack Taylor, courtesy Leslie Ansag.
Via Hank W. Blevins: “John Patton owned and operated the theater and a appliance store next door. You can see a old wringer washing machine setting out front.” (Photo added)
March 18, 1951 photo from Duke University Libraries. Enlargeable within link.
https://repository.duke.edu/dc/rcmaxwellco/XXX5575
Redevelopment hit another snag.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/03/15/88-million-congress-theater-redevelopment-plan-blocked-by-south-side-alderperson-over-labor-concerns/?utm_source=Pico&utm_campaign=e0115c9459-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_3_15_morninglist1_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b6b84a5cee-e0115c9459-126767157&mc_cid=e0115c9459&mc_eid=173b7b99f7
September 24, 1929 photo with Merrimack Square Theatre background left of center, from John Street looking down Paige Street via Facebook link below. 3 images including one enlargement. Current POV below that.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=6166559196689877&set=pcb.10159628978623740
https://pbase.com/image/173471825
Ah, now I get it. Thank you for the clarification. That wall does match a photo on the Merrimack page. BTW I also added a different full size photo to that page below.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/13364/photos
Update: Photo credit TheTrolleyDodger.com website.