Down the Road

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A lot of deterioration can happen to something neglected for ten years: Rochester’s Times Theater

Jim Grey
25 comments on A lot of deterioration can happen to something neglected for ten years: Rochester’s Times Theater
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This is the Times Theater, on the Michigan Road in Rochester, Indiana. At least, this was it in 2008, while it was still operating.

Times Theater

The Times showed movies for 90 years, but owners couldn’t afford a digital projector and had to close it in 2014. This marquee was already showing strong signs of rot in 2008…but look at it now.

Times Theater, Rochester

This poor old sign. Here’s a closer look, first 2008 and then 2018.

Times Theater sign
Times Theater, Rochester

Fortunately, a non-profit group has organized with a goal to restore and reopen the Times as an art and entertainment center for the community. Their Facebook page is here. Here’s hoping they can achieve their goals — and see this sign restored, if it’s not too late.

I’ve documented Indiana’s historic Michigan Road extensively. To read all about it, click here.

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Comments

25 responses to “A lot of deterioration can happen to something neglected for ten years: Rochester’s Times Theater”

  1. Bill Bussell Avatar
    Bill Bussell

    I like to see old theatres restored. In particular, I like to see organs replaced or restored. The Rivoli Theatre in Indianapolis became an almost total loss, and I think plenty of money may bring it back. A theatre in Steubenville, Ohio is on a faster track to rehab. This city was the birthplace of Dean Martin.

    http://www.historicsteubenville.org

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      The work on the Rivoli is astonishing given how bad the building became. It’s interesting how attached we become to our old theaters.

      Reply
      1. Bill Bussell Avatar
        Bill Bussell

        I became acquainted with movie palaces when I found a new book in the library named “The Best Remaining Seats” by Ben Hall. The original glossy paper version is the best, and I have a copy from that era. I met Ben Hall when my late father and I were in Chicago in 1969. We were in the Aragon Ballroom, and Ben arranged for a small group of us to see the Uptown Theatre nearby. That theatre is also scheduled for restoration after being closed for about 30 years.

        Reply
        1. Jim Grey Avatar
          Jim Grey

          Have you seen the blog After the Final Curtain? It’s not updated often but it’s by this guy who gets into old theaters, long disused, and photographs them extensively. You might enjoy it. https://afterthefinalcurtain.net/

          I’ve been to the Aragon Ballroom! Saw a concert there in the mid-late 80s.

          Reply
  2. brandib1977 Avatar
    brandib1977

    I’m so glad someone is taking on this project! I have a weakness for old theaters and great signage. Have you been to the Astra down in Jasper? A group rehabbed this theater- it wasn’t restored but they kept as much original as they could. They had to strip the theater down to the exposed brick. It’s a lovely space but I was still a little sad they couldn’t salvage more. They have a great sign too.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      The theaters of the classic era evoke a connection in us that the modern multiplexes sure don’t. It’ll be great to see the Times sign restored and lighted one day! I haven’t been through Jasper to see the Astra. I think I’ve been to Jasper only twice in my life, glancing blows on the edge of town.

      Reply
      1. brandib1977 Avatar
        brandib1977

        I went to a concert at the Astra last year and had a lovely time in Jasper. The theater is tucked into a corner of the town square and is pretty unassuming from the outside. Here’s my account from the Astra. It includes a picture of the sign but you’ll have to ignore the dork standing in front of it. :) https://makethejourneyfun.wordpress.com/2018/10/14/the-astra-theater/
        The square also hosts a fabulous old hardware store that I loved and wrote about. I am from southern Ohio and really enjoyed my long weekend spent wandering around Jasper and nearby Vincennes. It’s a beautiful area.

        Reply
        1. Jim Grey Avatar
          Jim Grey

          Ooo you got to see Pokey LaFarge! I’ve seen him twice. So much fun.

          Reply
          1. brandib1977 Avatar
            brandib1977

            He was fantastic! It was a solo performance- just him and his guitar. The Honey Vines opened for him and they were great too!

            Reply
        2. Jim Grey Avatar
          Jim Grey

          I’d love to see him solo! I’ve seen him with the South City Three and with a slightly larger band and both were knockout performances.

          Reply
          1. brandib1977 Avatar
            brandib1977

            You really should see him solo. I absolutely loved it.

            Reply
        3. DougD Avatar
          DougD

          Learned another thing on the internet today. Never heard of Pokey LaFarge before, great stuff!

          Reply
          1. brandib1977 Avatar
            brandib1977

            He’s a fun performer! Glad you like him!

            Reply
  3. DougD Avatar
    DougD

    Good idea, they are doing the same thing here with the Westdale theatre. Restoration is almost complete and they’re starting it up with a screening of Casablanca.

    This is great, the last film I saw there (Tree of Life – Ugh!) the decomposing seat I sat in way very distracting.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Ew. Here’s hoping the seats are much nicer for their opening night!

      Reply
  4. Heide Avatar
    Heide

    Those last two images really summarize the story, don’t they. How wonderful that a restoration effort is underway, though; I do hope it will be successful.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Me too. I have no idea whether the theater inside is anything special but that sign sure is.

      Reply
      1. Heide Avatar
        Heide

        Perhaps you can sweet-talk your way into a tour? It would be good publicity for their restoration efforts, after all … ;)

        Reply
  5. TBM3FAN Avatar
    TBM3FAN

    Building not so bad but the sign is where your eye is drawn. Cheap paint now peeling off. Now I have some paint, typically used on aircraft carriers, which will not peel like that at all. Only thing is that you have to like Haze Gray and what Navy sailor doesn’t except those who do the scraping and needle gunning on rusted spots.

    Reply
    1. DougD Avatar
      DougD

      Ha! Hadn’t thought about needle gunning in a while. I had quite enough of that during my summer as a welder’s helper :)

      Reply
    2. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      My dad and my dad’s dad were Navy so I’m sure I have Haze Gray in my blood somehow.

      Reply
  6. Nancy Stewart Avatar
    Nancy Stewart

    Since Rochester is where I grew up, I spent many hours at the Times Theater. It is sad to see it in such shape. Hopefully they will be successful in saving it. Hours spent watching the latest movies (sometimes a double feature) back then …. after the news reels and a cartoon or two and the trailers of the upcoming movies. I remember standing in a line that went to the end of the block and halfway around, the night Psycho opened.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      What great memories! Thank you for sharing them.

      Reply
  7. Kevin Thomas Avatar
    Kevin Thomas

    Seems like every little town in Texas had a theater like that. Fortunately a lot of towns (at least based on what I’ve seen locally) are actively keeping them in good shape or working on restoring them.
    Here in Austin we have the Paramount, which has been a major downtown venue for several decades. Lots of concerts, speakers, special events, even a summertime film series. It’s a beautiful theater.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      I’d love to do a Texas highway tour one day. Of course, I’d need two months off.

      Reply

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