Over the next several weeks, I will introduce more of Holyoke's long-ago theaters on the Holyoke blog. I am fascinated by the history, locations, and ownership of these venues, which entertained many over the years. Today, we visit the Park Motion Picture Theater, or Park Theater, one of about 9 theaters, which opened its doors from 1908 to 1913.
Andrew Michael Gillis was born in Holyoke on December 11, 1883, to Ronald J. and Margaret (Collins) Gillis. Ronald Gillis hailed from New Brunswick and Margaret Gillis from Maine. Andrew Gillis was one of 9 living children from this union in 1900.
The 1910 U.S. Federal Census showed Mr. Gillis working in a theater and residing at 783 Dwight Street. The Holyoke City Directory for that year showed him as a driver.
The Park Theater opened its doors in early 1910. Holyoke and Springfield news publications paid little attention to its opening.
The initial owners were John J. O'Connor, a former liquor dealer, and Thomas J. Moriarty, a foreman for the Board of Public Works. The theater was located at 567-569 Dwight Street on the north side of the street between High and Maple Streets. This was a 3 1/2 -story building. The future Ryback's Market and Patrick O'Connor's Market rested on this land. The theater and neighboring grocery store had 50 feet of street frontage and a 97-foot depth along the alleyway.
In May 1910, Andrew Gillis purchased John J. O'Connor's interest after a series of attachments for unpaid bills filed by trade members threatened the enterprise's success. Mr. Gillis had worked for the American Express Company for several years.
Noted Holyoke grocer Edson L. Lyman sold the building on June 17, 1912, to John H. Woods, Bernett Feinsteine of Holyoke, and Frank B. Newkirk of Easthampton.
The theater showed pictorial representations of military activity along with entertainment features, including Westerns. Mr. Gillis used the theater for fundraisers, and on several occasions the nearby St. Jerome's parish benefited from his generosity. The theater screened public service films, including one on preventing forest fires.
In early 1915, Andrew Gillis became the theater's sole operator. In mid-1915, he transferred ownership to Peter Moggio, who was also interested in the Columbia Fruit Store next door. Although a news account indicated that Mr. Moggio would complete renovations and reopen the theater soon, it does not appear this happened. A rummage sale announcement in November 1915 indicated that it would be held "in the store on Dwight Street where Lyman's Market was located for so many years, and more recently where the Park Theater had operated." Unfortunately, I could not locate any photos of the theater during its operating years.
Andrew Gillis had also owned and operated another theater in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, and later worked for Gilbert & Barker Mfg. Co. in West Springfield, and then retired after working at the Roger Smith Hotel in Holyoke.
Epilogue
On March 29, 1928, the property at 567-569 Dwight Street was sold to Bernett Feinstein of the American Braiding Company. Shortly after acquisition, he contracted to raze the building and construct a new two-story business block. The basement, main floor, and second floor of the new building were leased to the Barger Furniture Company, which relocated from Main Street.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Genealogy Records and Price & Lee, Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
