Posts Tagged theater

      Shoe Stores, Flower shops, Men’s Clothing, Women’s Clothing, Pool Halls, Candy Stores, Pet Shops, and of course Pe Wee’s. “Downtown” Ellwood City has been home to almost every kind of store you can imagine. From large department stores like Dambach’s and Murphy’s to the little Ma & Pa shops that have thrived here for many years.

      I can not list every single business in Ellwood City, but everyone that has ever lived here has fond memories of downtown. Whether they are memories of where you worked, shopped, or just “hung out”, there is always at least one place that you remember fondly. Whether the story you repeat the most happened at the Drug Store on the corner, or one of the multiple restaurants, maybe the flower shop where you bought your homecoming mum or the story about you and your friends at one of the movie theaters (Majestic, Manos, or the Liberty). If you are too young to remember the Majestic, ask someone a little older if they remember it. Not only will you get that story, but I will almost guarantee they can remember what was playing when it burnt down.

      It is always quite enjoyable to talk to someone and see the look they get in their eye when the memories they haven’t thought about in years start flooding back. The diners and drug stores always seem to bring back memories like nothing else can. When someone mentions the Lemon Blendd drinks from Albert Your Druggist’s or the Soda Fountain at Young’s Drug Store or the Ice Cream Sunday’s at Acme Lunch, it is almost as if the person can still taste it and are suddenly taken back to their childhood. Memories of food seem to do that. Whether it was the world famous pies from Margaret’s, the roast beef sandwiches from the Jayhawk, or the sausage sandwiches from Nick’s over in the park. Of course, as soon as someone mentions Nick’s Snack Bar the stories start flowing but I’ll save those for another time.

      The food isn’t the only memories people have of Ellwood City. Duck pin bowling alleys and pool halls have been everywhere in Ellwood. It seems that every other building in the “downtown” area has had one of these either in the basement or upstairs at one time or another. If it didn’t have one of these, it may have gotten people in the door by hosting weekend dances like the S.O.I. the Jaycees, and the Shuffle Shop. Of course you couldn’t miss the show at the Ellwood City Opera House, or one of the famous performers at one of the clubs, or the Saturday matinee at one of the movie theaters. Friday nights were spent at the local teen hangout like Willies, Winkys, or Johnny’s.

      Ellwoodians have special memories of each and every business In Ellwood City. Even those that haven’t lived here in over twenty five years still love their hometown. Like the memories Bruce Brenneman from Houghton, New York shared with us of Blochers Jewelery Store and that black marble front. Or the memories of her dad’s Barber shop (Turners) at the end of Lawrence Avenue that Linda Tidemanson in California shared with us. Once you live in Ellwood City, you are an Ellwoodian. No matter where you may move to, folks always consider Ellwood City their hometown.
We would love to hear from you and about your favorite place to go downtown and the stories you have because of it. Please share your memories of downtown Ellwood City with in the “comments” section below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

      We at Ellwood City Memories have a number of stories from people that remember the Majestic and a few that remember the Manos, But did you know Ellwood City had a third movie theater? The Barnes Theatre is the less remembered theater in town. Just a few doors west of the Majestic Theatre, the Barnes Theatre occupied half of what would later be known as the G.C. Murphy Building on Lawrence Avenue.

      Thomas V. Barnes was once the owner of the Majestic Theatre. He purchased the theater from the Shulers, who purchased the theater from the Biordi family in August 1917 for $30,000. The Biordis then repurchased the theater from Mr. Barnes in 1936. After selling the Majestic, Thomas then built the Barnes Theatre which occupied half of the former G.C. Murphy Building.

      In July of 1981 Andrea Dombeck, playground director in Ellwood City, made arrangements with the owners of the Majestic Theater in town to host an event for area children. Mr. and Mrs. Tony Guerrera hosted a free movie for playground children in the Majestic Hall at no charge to the city or the Ellwood City Recreation Board. The free movie drew an overflow crowd of approximately 440 boys and girls and playground instructors who accompanied the children to attempt to supervise.
      Despite the rain the children had to stand in while waiting to enter the theater to see the Walt Disney film, “The Fox and the Hound”, the turnout was so great that many of the children had to stand to watch the movie in the theater that only held 300.
      Please share your memories below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

      We have heard from a number of people that remember the small news stand at the end of the previous Fifth Street Bridge for various reasons but no one can agree on the name. Those that do remember the little store remember the model airplanes, the comics, but overwhelmingly the thing remembered most is the candy.
      We had one visitor who shared that the newsstand had “the best penny candy” and ten cents would get you a nice little bag full. Those from Hazel Dell would stop at the newsstand on their way to one of the movie theaters in town, the Majestic and the Manos. A ticket to get in either theater would run you two bits and people were outraged when the price later went up to 35 cents. Back then, we have heard, if you wanted to you could even stay and watch the movie over again without paying again.
      The name we have been given the most is Triangle News, but the building has housed numerous other businesses over the years including realtors and even an arcade in the late 70′s early 80′s. We would like to hear your memories of the little building with a big history. Please share your memories below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com
      A little side note on the attached picture, we noticed that the “dummy” is missing. The dummy was the cement block about three feet in diameter and between four or five feet tall. The top was rounded at and one time had a light atop and sat right in the center of the road on the Hazel Dell side of the bridge. We were told that both ends of the bridge at one time had one of these dummies and that they were originally designed to separate traffic.

     Spotlight 88 Drive-In Theatre was on Route 65 just outside the Ellwood City Area in North Sewickley Township but was still a big part of the lives of those that grew up in Ellwood City. The Drive-in Theatre opened in 1948 along what was then Route 88 and remained open thirty seven years until the tornado of 1985 hit the area.
     The picture at the bottom was taken by Pam Plassmeyer and is what used to be the snack stand at Spotlight 88 but was reduced to a pile of rubble after the 85 tornado. The corner of Route 588 and Route 65 was one of the hardest hit areas and the theater was completely demolished. 
     In the thirty seven years it was open, we are sure many people have very fond memories of Spotlight 88. We would love to hear your memories, please share below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com 

     The “five and ten” store originally featured merchandise priced at only five cents or ten cents. There were a number of these stores like Ben Franklin Stores, and G.C. Murphy’s, and the original “5 & 10″ – Woolworth’s. These stores were also known as nickel and dime, five and dime or dimestores, although later in the twentieth century the price range of merchandise expanded. Inflation eventually dictated that the stores were no longer able to sell any items for five or ten cents, and were then referred to as “variety stores” or more commonly in this area are now known as dollar stores. 
     The first “5 & 10″ store in Ellwood City was not actually G.C. Murphy’s but rather belonged to Horace O. Abbaticchio. Mr. Abbaticchio (1872 – 1970) was involved in a number of popular businesses after coming to Ellwood City in 1900. He was a partner with Mr. Biordi at the Majestic and also was part owner of the Manos Theater for a time. Before he got into the theatre business though, he opened the first 5 & 10 store in Ellwood called Abbey’s Racket Store in 1907. The name of the store later became Abbey’s 5 & 10. 
     Mr. Abbaticchio owned and operated the store until selling it Murphy’s in 1917. G.C. Murphy’s was founded in 1906 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania by George Clinton Murphy. The G.C. Murphy’s in Ellwood was originally located at 631 Lawrence Avenue before moving to the much larger location in the center of the north side of the 500 block of Lawrence Avenue.

    It seems that when you talk about movie theaters in Ellwood City, almost everyone remembers the Majestic movie theater but the other less recalled theater was known as the Manos. Originally named the Liberty Theatre, the 1,047 seat theater opened January 1923. The Manos family purchased the Liberty Theatre and renamed it the Manos Theatre. The Liberty had the exclusive rights in Ellwood City to show all Warner Brothers Vitaphone pictures that were released.
    Jack Manos, who was associated with his brothers in the Monessen Amusement Company which owned a chain of theaters in Western Pennsylvania, came to Ellwood City in 1936 to run the Manos. On May 14, 1949 the theater held a grand re-opening after being closed one month for a little more than $70,000 worth of renovations. The theater had Herculite glass doors installed leading to the beautiful lobby and blending with the elaborate confectionary shop on the right. Mahogany was installed throughout the lobby including the counters, ceiling and banister. New restrooms located on the main floor were added to the building along with a manager’s office, a florist shop and a new large concession stand in the left front of the lobby. Inside the auditorium, a new concrete floor and slide back chairs were installed with bold colors.
     After Mr. Manos died of heart attack in lobby of the Manos in 1956. Pete Samios, born Panayiotis Haralambos Dimitropoulo became manager of the Manos. The Manos continued in Ellwood City until May 24, 1972 when the company closed the theater. The building was torn down to make way for a Health Mart Drug Store August 17, 1987. Today the Ellwood City Public Library sits where the Liberty Theatre began construction October of 1922.
    In the darker picture from the 1940′s, the movie showing at the Manos was “To Have and Have Not” starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
    If you would like to share your memories of the Manos Theatre or the “standing room only” wedding that took place on the stage of the auditorium, please leave a comment below or you can email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

    When you talk about Ellwood City, one topic that almost always comes up is the Majestic Movie Theater. The theatre is most commonly remembered as being owned by the Biordi family but actually had a handful of different owners. John Biordi was born in Aquila, Italy and came to Ellwood City sometime during 1902. He and his brother bought the Majestic Theater in 1918 but six years later sold it to Joseph and Nick Shuler in 1924 for $30,000. Thomas Barnes purchased the theater from the Shulers and eventually in 1936 he re-sold the theater to John Biordi and his sons, Frank and Andy. The Biordi’s continued to operate the Majestic Theater for the next thirty years. After selling the Majestic, Thomas Barnes built the Barnes Theatre which occupied half of the former G.C. Murphy Building on Lawrence Avenue.
   Unfortunately we do not have many pictures of the Majestic Theater and absolutely no pictures of the inside. Due to the lack of pictures we can only recall from our own memories what the lobby looked like with the candy counter and the gorgeous velvet and brass staircase. We may never know how it looked upstairs (which we don’t think anyone ever saw), and can only rely on our own memories of the huge theater itself with 396 seats and the big stage up front. Additional memories we have heard from others involved the basement as the restrooms were located down there. To be more precise, the bathrooms in the basement were actually more under Lawrence Avenue then they were under the theater. 
    Then on a cold January morning in 1984 disaster struck. Fire was discovered in the rear of the Majestic Theater and quickly spread completely destroying the building. The third and final installment of the Star Wars trilogy “Return of the Jedi” would be the final movie ever shown in the theater that brought so much joy to those that grew up in Ellwood City.
    The burned down theater was purchased and razed by Dr. Walter Dickson who already owned the G.S. Young property next to the theater. The Young block had also received extensive damage from the fire and restoration to that property was already underway by June of that same year.
    The Majestic was a popular stage before motion pictures were common. We would love to hear what celebrities you remember seeing perform there or any other memories you may have of the theater. Please leave a comment below or you can email us you memories or even pictures at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

Hello, first and foremost I want to thank everyone who has already contributed photographs to Ellwood City Memories. I am not looking to keep your pictures, but rather would prefer a copy or scanned digital version of your pictures. We are always looking for more pictures of Ellwood City and will always gladly take any pictures you may offer, however there are some specific pictures we are looking for that you may have in your attic. Currently we are looking for…

• Any Ellwood City Sports Team picture including the Koppel Mud Divers & the West End Canaries (mush ball)
• Parade pictures - background is what we are looking for
• Drive up on Ellwood-Zelienople Road called Easy’s Twin Kiss
• Nick’s Snack Bar
• Red Hot’s at the end of 5th St bridge (was Ionelies, was Ted’s Hamburgers, was Mayflower Lunch)
• Either of the old Fire Stations
• *** Information on the Kingsmen Car Club. ***
• Wilson’s Bar (had the boxing ring in the basement)
• “Old Brick School House” on Glen Ave
• Nye School
• Frisco Bridge 

You can email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

If you do not have the means to email us your picture, please contact us and we can bring a small scanner to you and the picture never has to leave your sight. We are always looking for pictures to add to our website and are very gracious for the ones we have already received.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR OLD COPIES OF ELLWOOD CITY DIRECTORIES. Not old phone books, but the actual old “city directories”.

    Friday May 31st 1985 was the day the tornado came through the area and changed not only the landscape but the citizens of the area. Though the storm brought high winds, heavy rains, and golf ball sized hail to Ellwood City, the town was largely spared. The tornado affected numerous businesses and residences surrounding Ellwood City in Big Beaver Borough, North Sewickley Township, Marion Township, and on into southern Butler County. Destruction from the tornado, which caused multiple deaths in the area including Marrion Belle from Ellport, resulted in a 9PM curfew, disruption of power and telephone service for up to 65,000 people, the cancellation of the remainder of the school year for Riverside, and numerous men and women to not only lose their place of employment but even their home and all of their belongings.
    The horrific storm brought area citizens worst nightmare to life but also brought out the best in the community as reports of heroic rescue efforts were reported from almost everywhere the tornado struck. People were reported trapped in various buildings but were rescued by others close to the scene. One story included the four people that were trapped at Body Connection in the Big Beaver Plaza and at least one other at Gerello’s distributor also in the plaza. After the tornado raged through the intersection of 65 & 588 in North Sewickley destroying everything, quick responding volunteers, firemen and police officers began digging through the debris to help three people trapped at Ken’s Butcher Block and one other person at the ticket booth at Spotlight 88 Drive-In.
    Back at the Big Beaver Plaza, the once bustling strip mall home to about a dozen various businesses, was completely disintegrated when the massive funnel ripped through the area. Business in the plaza included the Body Connection Gym & Spa, Gerello’s, Comet Warehouse, Revco Pharmacy, a Veterinarian office, and Jamesway. Jamis Motors auto dealership was next to the plaza as was the Big Beaver Restaurant and Grand Arbor Room which were all annihilated along with the plaza. Debris from the Big Beaver Plaza was found across the river at Fox Run Golf Course (formerly Palisades) on River Road. Even today, almost twenty five years later there are still old television shells and other reminders down along the river banks behind the plaza.
    Many of our readers still remember that night very clearly and have their own memory of the devastation and close calls. Riverside High School seniors who graduated earlier in the evening had plans to meet at the Spotlight 88 drive in Movie Theater, which was devastated by the tornado. The Riverside graduation ceremony which was earlier in the day was typically held in the football field but had to be moved inside to the auditorium because of rain showers but nobody knew the storm was going to be as big as it was. The National Weather Service said five tornadoes “stayed on the ground for a good period of time” as far north as Albion in Erie County, where 202 of 272 homes were damaged or destroyed. It would be awhile before the final official reports were available, May 31st 1985 -a total of 26 tornados touched down, killing 65 people injuring 707 more, 1,009 homes were destroyed, all included the tornados caused $376, 367,000 in damage.
    The tornado affected many people in many different ways. If you would like to share your own personal memories of the big storm, please leave a comment below or email us by CLICKING HERE. 

We would like to thank Kathy Weingartner for providing us with a large collection of mementos from the horrific storm.

   The house at 216 Glen Avenue was built in 1918 by renaissance man, Harry L. Clarke. A veteran of the Spanish-American War, Mr. Clarke pursued at a wide variety of occupations from pedaling newspapers to elected office.
    Harry’s career in Ellwood City after the war included operating a newsstand on Sixth Street, operating a motion picture theater in the 600 block of Lawrence Ave, managing Rock Point Park in it’s final years, running a roller skating rink inside the old American Steel Building at Sixth Street and Spring Avenue, and was superintendent of the Harmony Shortline until the streetcars quit running in 1931. As we mentioned, Mr. Clarke also dabbled in politics and was elected to the borough council in 1913 and in 1918 he was appointed Lawrence County Commissioner when Jacob Corl died.
    Harry Clarke married Daisy May Adams and had two daughters, Naomi J. and Bessie M. (Naomi was named after her grandmother).
    If you have a story you would like to share about the house at 216 Glen Avenue or of the Clarkes, please leave a comment below or email us your memories by CLICKING HERE. Information for this post was gathered from the book Ellwood City Houses and the People Who Lived in Them by Charles R. Moser available at the Ellwood City Historical Society.

    The house at 506 Crescent Avenue was originally owned by the Biordi family. John Biordi was born in Aquila, Italy in 1871 and came to Ellwood City sometime during 1902. He and his brother bought the Majestic Theater in 1918 but six years later sold it to Joseph and Nick Shuler in 1924. Apparently he missed the buttery popcorn because in 1936 he re-purchased the theater with his children, Frank & Andy, and continued to operate the Majestic Theater for thirty more years.
    Andy Biordi helped run the theater but was more known for all his work with the S.O.I., Lions, and the Wolves Club where he was one of the founders. Andy was also a halfback on the legendary 1925 Ellwood City football team.
    The Biordi family owned the large brick house on Crescent Avenue for over half a century. If you know who has lived in the house since then or have any memories of the Biordi’s you would like to share, please leave a comment below or email us your memories by CLICKING HERE.