Comments from SethG

Showing 26 - 50 of 2,376 comments

SethG
SethG commented about Anthony Theater on Jun 10, 2026 at 12:40 pm

Showing lots of older movies, possibly some performing arts as well.

SethG
SethG commented about Novelty Theatre on Jun 10, 2026 at 12:26 pm

This building does not appear on the Nov. 1909 Sanborn. The site was then a collection of tiny wooden shacks. The theater was in one storefront of a large 4 bay, two story stone building with a brick front. I’m not sure what replaced it initially, but the site today is a parking lot and dumpy 1960s grocery store. It appears that two other two story buildings were lost in the fire.

SethG
SethG commented about Palace Theatre on Jun 10, 2026 at 12:13 pm

I’ve added some more information to this very poor listing. This does not appear in the 1914-15 AMPD, nor in the 1926 Yearbook. Did it ever show movies?

SethG
SethG commented about Prairie Arts Theatre on Jun 9, 2026 at 9:39 am

If the opening date is accurate, this must be the ‘New’ listed in the 1926 Yearbook with 250 seats.

SethG
SethG commented about Prairie Arts Theatre on Jun 9, 2026 at 9:07 am

The theater was likely a remodel of an older commercial building constructed sometime between 1899 and 1905. The 1943 Sanborn shows the building ending well short of the alley, so it must have been remodeled at some later point.

SethG
SethG commented about Howard Theater on Jun 8, 2026 at 2:31 pm

Thanks. This originally said 1912, which I was sure was wrong.

SethG
SethG commented about Plaza Theatre on Jun 7, 2026 at 12:50 pm

Probably. There’s no way you could have fit almost 900 people in that space. Unfortunately, the later Yearbooks, which often have addresses, don’t give any for San Angelo.

SethG
SethG commented about Starr Theatre on Jun 7, 2026 at 12:18 pm

Note that the Yearbooks all list this incorrectly as the ‘Star’ (the Burford is also rendered ‘Burkford’ for much of the ‘30s). The KHRI entry is here, with some historic photos: https://khri.kansasgis.org/index.cfm?in=035-0210-00081

SethG
SethG commented about Plaza Theatre on Jun 7, 2026 at 9:57 am

The address of the building in the photo is 16. There is no 24. It’s unclear whether it was demolished, or the derelict second story removed. The ad says it was at the corner of Chadbourne and Harris, in which case it was demolished many years ago.

SethG
SethG commented about Ranney's Fifth Avenue Opera House on Jun 7, 2026 at 9:50 am

Listed in some Yearbooks from the early ‘30s as closed with 1,000 seats, before disappearing again. Probably hadn’t been open in years.

SethG
SethG commented about Howard Theater on Jun 7, 2026 at 9:44 am

A lot of incorrect information - I have rewritten the listing, and added a Sanborn view.

SethG
SethG commented about Ranney's Fifth Avenue Opera House on Jun 7, 2026 at 9:13 am

The VFW apparently was built in 1948, although the KHRI listing is ‘pending’, so any additional information is unavailable.

SethG
SethG commented about Ranney's Fifth Avenue Opera House on Jun 7, 2026 at 9:00 am

Appears to have closed, at least for movies, by 1926. It still appears on the 1920 map, but movies are not specifically noted.

SethG
SethG commented about Roxy Theatre on Jun 4, 2026 at 11:23 am

Reminder to myself to check sources and rewrite.

SethG
SethG commented about River Theatre on Jun 3, 2026 at 9:36 am

Oildale is unincorporated, so nothing has that as an address.

SethG
SethG commented about North Adams Cinema 6 on Jun 2, 2026 at 7:55 pm

Thanks!

SethG
SethG commented about Mission Theatre on Jun 1, 2026 at 11:46 am

Some more information from a duplicate listing I have just deleted: The Lyric Theatre opened April 16, 1913 and according to the Albuquerque Morning Journal was renamed the Ideal Theatre in 1918. Sanborn Maps show a very narrow auditorium sharing a ground floor common wall with a hotel and rooms extending over the theatre. The Ideal Theatre can be found in Film Daily Year Book 1929 with 300 seats.

Blanche Hatton became manager of the Ideal Theatre in 1924 under owner Paul Williamson. In 1929 the Ideal Theatre was taken over by Paramount’s Publix chain, which had a policy against women managers. After a high level policy meeting in New York it was decided Blanche could stay and she went on to manage the Chief Theatre, Hiland Theatre, Sunshine Theatre, and Lobo Theatre.

By 1932 editions of the Albuquerque Tribune list a Mission Theatre at this address (which in FDY had a seating capacity of 378). The 1943 edition of FDY gives a seating capacity of 450 and was operated by Paramount pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Hoblitzelle & O'Donnell. It had closed by 1950. In 1955, the theatre, which had been closed for many years, was demolished and the Albuquerque First National Bank was constructed on the site.

SethG
SethG commented about Chief Theatre on Jun 1, 2026 at 11:21 am

Away from my sources. Could someone please confirm if the 1952 closing was final?

SethG
SethG commented about Spicer Cinema 4 on Jun 1, 2026 at 11:05 am

What year did it open? I assume 1999.

SethG
SethG commented about North Adams Cinema 6 on May 31, 2026 at 4:19 pm

Presumably south of town, where most of this roadside blight is located. Can anyone provide an address and status?

SethG
SethG commented about Magic Theatre on May 30, 2026 at 12:33 pm

Okay, I will change the entry again because obviously the theater that closed in 1958 can’t have started as the Edith. We should create an entry for the last location using the city hall address.

SethG
SethG commented about Magic Theatre on May 30, 2026 at 10:58 am

Thanks for the additional information. Can you supply an address or confirm demolition?

SethG
SethG commented about Hippodrome Theater on May 30, 2026 at 10:43 am

I have edited the listing to remove the Panorama as an aka, since it seems that was replaced by this theater. Obviously the ornamental terra cotta was original, and bore the Adolphus name. If the Panorama showed films, it should be added.

SethG
SethG commented about Hippodrome Theatre on May 30, 2026 at 10:25 am

Joe, I have deleted the round corner photo, which was very poor quality anyway. Leaving this comment as a reminder to myself to check the Sanborns and verify the address.

SethG
SethG commented about Regina Theatre on May 29, 2026 at 11:50 am

Even allowing for an extensive remodel, I’m having trouble placing the theater within the ugly derelict which is shown on the 2011 street view. The left side of that was gone by 2013.