A new century had begun, and the Empire Theater continued to showcase acts, some of which had concluded their runs in New York City and Chicago.
In May 1902, a kettle of burning tar, left unattended, raised concern that the theater would catch fire. The fire was squelched before it could spread to the theater.
In January 1903, the Royal Opera was booked for a three-night performance. It was the first opera of the 1902-1903 season.
During the annual summer shutdown in 1903, the ten-year-old theater was refurbished in anticipation of the 35 shows already booked for the 1903-1904 season. Painters, decorators, and artists refreshed the theater's interior. Charles Mandeville of the Steiger's department store decorated the theater boxes.
The new season introduced daily matinees to attract patrons who preferred afternoon performances. During the 1903 Christmas season, Tom Murray, the theater's manager, invited 500 children from Brightside and Mt. St. Vincent to the Empire Theater. Mr. Murray dressed as Santa Claus, and the children enjoyed an afternoon matinee. Theater management made arrangements with the street railway to transport the children.
Following the city Building Inspector's recommendations, the theater made several safety changes in 1905. Two wide staircases replaced one steep, narrow staircase that led to the High Street exit. The main entrance was doubled in size, and the main level doorways were expanded. The work removed 16 seats on the main level. However, when they removed a wall at the rear of the balcony, they added many additional seats there, abutting the High Street side wall.
In 1907, the theater began advertising moving picture features. The theater orchestra and singer George Reardon also performed for the audience's enjoyment.
On January 12, 1911, the theater closed for its matinee performances out of respect for the recently deceased, William Whiting.
City officials gave public service talks, local school children recitals, and Evangelic speakers were provided time to use the theater.
On November 28, 1912, the play The Prince Chap was sold out and over 3,000 ticket seekers were turned away. The play would again occur the following day for those disappointed the day before.
On April 23, 1915, a fire started in the early morning hours and reduced the theater to rubble. The total loss was estimated at $70,000. Six firefighters were injured battling the intense blaze. Firefighters successfully confined the fire to the theater, as neighboring buildings were at risk, although some suffered water and smoke damage.
The building's remaining walls were deemed a hazard, and workers removed the walls, the Empire's lighted electric sign, and the remaining balcony in July 1915.
Several potential sites existed for rebuilding a new Empire Theater. There were the Chase property at the northeast corner of Suffolk and Chestnut Streets (later the Victory Theater), the Unitarian Church site at the northeast corner of Maple and Essex, and the Robert Johannis property at the southeast corner of Suffolk and Maple Streets.
In January 1916, it appeared there was a reasonable probability that the Suffolk and Chestnut site would be selected for a new theater. However, new fire regulations reduced the capacity of theaters with multiple doorways and other safety features, and Springfield's Court Square Theater was taking premier shows away from Holyoke. In its later years, the Empire presented vaudeville acts, movies, and a handful of quality plays. In March 1916, the theater owner, Mr. Murray, abandoned plans to build a new theater.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript -Telegram; publication dates and pages shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Genealogy Records and Price & Lee, Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
