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Pittsburg
Scenes - Theatres |
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The
Wonderland Theatre opened for business on Sept 1, 1907
at 414 N. Broadway. It was the first theatre to be
opened on this site, and would later become the Vaudome
(1908-1911) the Electric Theatre (1911-1919),
the Klock Theatre (1919-1926) and finally the Midland
Theatre (1926-1954). The Wonderland was the first
theatre in Pittsburg to show moving pictures, but closed
in 1908 when the building was purchased by W.
W. Bell,
owner of the La Belle
Theatre. |
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Wonderland
Theatre Images |
Click on an item to see a
larger image |
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Wonderland
Opening Ad with Airdome Ad - Pittsburg Daily Headlight,
Friday Aug 30, 1907 |
Wonderland
& La Belle Ad - Pittsburg Daily Headlight, Friday Sept
14, 1907 |
Sanborn
Fire Insurance Map Showing the Airdome Theatre - 1908
(courtesy the late Gene DeGrusen, Axe Library Special
Collections, PSU) |
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The
Vaudome Theatre
414 N. Broadway |
The Vaudome
Theatre opened on September 27, 1908 in the remodeled
space of the Wonderland Theatre at 414 N. Broadway. It
was owned and operated by the Bell-Olendorf and Ballard
Amusement Co., with W. W. Bell, part owner of the
La Belle Theatre at Fourth and Locust as manager.
The Vaudome was the venue for the vaudeville shows in
Pittsburg at that time. It closed somewhere around 1911
when the Electric Theatre opened at that location. |
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Vaudome
Theatre Articles |
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"Vaudome
Opening," Pittsburg Daily Headlight, Sept 26, 1908: "Every
town of any importance has an up-to-date Vaudeville house,
and the Bell-Olendorf and Ballard Amusement Co., who
are the leaders in offering entertainment to the public
in the several different towns they are interested in,
think that Pittsburg should not be behind in the line.
So at at expense of a few thousand dollars have remodeled
the Old Wonderland building into a metropolitan little
play house, that will open Monday evening with high class
polite vaudeville at popular prices.
Admission will be 10 cents with some seats reserved at
20 cents. Seats may be reserved any time several days in
advance.
There will be just two performances given every night,
rain or shine. First one at 8 o"clock and the second one
at 9:15. Matinees will be given every Sunday, Wednesday
and Saturday at 3 p.m. prices for matinees will be: Sundays
the same as evening, Wednesday and Saturday any seat for
adults 10 cents and children 5 cents.
A complete change of program will occur every Sunday and
Thursday, and every Wednesday night will be amateur night,
when cash prizes will be offered.
The opening bill for the first half of the week is Corcoran
and Dixon, Black face comedians, late of Dockstaders, Min.
The Gilmore Sisters, "Ranch Girls" Singing, Dancing and
quick change. Tric-O-Lora, English Comedienne, Bending
Bonda, Contortionist.
Miss Edyth Ashcroft, the best singer of picture songs ever
in Pittsburg and the Vaudomoscope, showing the latest in
motion pictures. Contracts have been made for the Chittilini
orchestra for all performances.
Remember seat sale opens tomorrow at 10 a.m. and while
we have a nice seating capacity, we will not be able to
take care of everybody on one night, so if you want to
see the best Vaudeville you ever saw at the prices, buy
seats early. Yours for amusement, W. W. Bell, Gen'l Manager." |
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"Vaudome Opens." Pittsburg
Daily Headlight, Sept 28, 1908: "The Vaudome opened last
night with a large attendance and a good entertainment
which would give the impression that the Vaudome will be
a profitable successor to the Airdome which closed this
season--last Sunday night. Vaudeville will be the feature
of the Vaudome for the winter season while the La Belle
theatre will handle the other class of attractions." |
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Electric
Theatre
414 N. Broadway |
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Electric Theatre - 414 N. Broadway - photo
about 1915
- Prosperous Pittsburg, Pictorially Portrayed |
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The Electric
Theatre opened in 1911 at 414 N. Broadway in the building
that had housed the Wonderland Theatre, the first theatre
to show moving pictures. It was owned by a partnership
of W. H. Daly and E. H. Klock. Klock's father owned the
building south and had ran a grocery store there for many
years when his son decided to venture into the entertainment
business. In about 1919, the Klock's would tear their grocery
store down along with the Electric Theatre and
construct a much large theatre that would be called the
Klock Theatre and later the Midland. |
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"At the Electric
tonight, a riot of fun, the Four Frozos." Pittsburg Daily
Headlight Jan 5, 1911 |
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"Don't miss seeing Madam
Dorothy's 14 White Poodles Sunday at the Electric. All
our acts approved by Pittsburg's Board of Censorship." Local
Events, Pittsburg Daily Headlight, Jan 4, 1913. |
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"Custer's Last Fight shown
at the Electric Theatre Friday and Saturday. Greatest war
act ever shown--1000 soldiers--1000 Indians--hundreds of
horses. Don't miss this." Local Events, Pittsburg Daily
Headlight, Jan 8, 1913 |
Electric Theatre
Images |
Click on an item
to see a larger image |
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Electric
Theatre Ad - Pittsburg Daily Headlight Sept 3, 1911 |
Sanborn
Fire Insurance Map Showing the Electric & Palace Theatres
- 1913
- courtesy late Gene DeGrusen, Axe Library, Special
Collections, PSU |
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updated April 23, 2008
pittsburgksmemories.com
copyright 2008 |
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