Photo Record

Images

1 of 1977

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Metadata

Caption

Saks Theatorium, Saks Jewelers

Date

1907

Place

Mansfield, Tioga PA

People

Saks, Edward Clayton
VanNorman, Karl Franklin

Title

Saks Theatorium
Saks Theatorium

Description

Saks Theatorium and Saks Jeweler 16 East Wellsboro Street, corner of Hoard Alley.
The first theatre was Union Hall, on the third floor of the Ross & Williams Bank Building, which is now the First National Bank. In 1888 the Hook & Ladder Co. built the Opera House on Wellsboro Street about where the Borough Building now stands. It burned in 1913. The third theatre was the first motion picture house in Northern Pennsylvania. It opened in 1907 across from the Opera House on Wellsboro Street. It also burned in 1916. At that time it was operated by K. F. Van Norman. During 1916 the Star Theatre was built by W. A. McCausland and E. G. Cornwell and it was later purchased by the Van Norman family. It stood on the site of the present Twain Theatre. For a while, prior to 1936, the Star was leased by Jack Myers of Blossburg and was called the Rialto. Later in 1936 the theatre was purchased by Harry A. Taylor and Harry Swain of Mansfield and after a complete renovation it opened as the Twain. Mr. Taylor later purchased the interest of Mr. Swain and continued his ownership until his death in 1950. Since Mr. Taylor's death, the Twain has been continued in operation by his wife, Mrs. Louise F. Taylor and managed by his son, William F. Taylor. The Taylors, through the years have given a fine contribution to the progress of the community in affording it a high standard of entertainment and in keeping step with the progress in the picture industry when each new innovation was made. During the years the improvements have included the installation of the cinemascope screen, new projection equipment, new furnaces, air conditioning, new lobby and front. Mansfield has been fortunate in having had the Taylor family to give them such fine opportunities for entertainment in the past and is again fortunate to have new owners whose intention is to carry on the fine traditions of good wholesome entertainment set by their predecessors. (CPB article)

Retan Chapter 11
4. Theaters

Union Hall, the third floor of the Bank Block, was used as an entertainment center until the Opera House was built in 1888-89. Many road shows came to the Opera House during the winter season. Later, Howe’s Moving Pictures were first shown in Mansfield in this building. The Opera House was often used for dances and other social functions. It burned in 1913.

In 1907 the Theatorium was built and operated by Ed Saks and Chas. Miller. This building was located on Hoard Alley, back of the brick building on the corner. This was purchased by K. F. Van Norman who operated it in 1911-1916 when it burned.

In 1916 the Star Theater, now the Twain, was built by W. A. McCausland and E. G. Cornwell. It was managed by Mr. Van Norman until 1933 it was renovated and opened by Harry A. Taylor and Henry Swain. In 1940 Harry Taylor became the sole owner and since his death in 1950 his son William Taylor has managed it. The first talking pictures in the Mansfield were shown here in 1929.

Mansfield Advertiser, 3 February 1915, p.1
Theatorium
Photo-Play Monday and Saturday Nights - Matinee Saturday
Pictures at the Theatorium on each Monday and Saturday nights and matinee every Saturday. The popular Licensed films will be projected at every show and on Saturday 5 big reels will make up the program afternoon and evening. See the big educational feature, "How Paint and Varnish are Made,: at both shows Saturday. This reel taken at the big plant of Sherwin & Williams. Evening, 7:15. Matinee, 2:30

Event

East Wellsboro Street

Collection

Business - Mansfield - Richmond

Catalog Number

1014.wee.016.1907

Object Name

Postcard

Subjects

Jewelers
Mansfield: East Wellsboro Street
Theaters

Relation

Show Related Records...

Site Name

Mansfield: East Wellsboro Street S016

Location Code

wee016

Imagefile

021\1014wee0161907.JPG

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