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HomeMy WebLinkAbout212-214 S Michigan - State Theater_Survey CardWalls 1. Rating C Outstanding Significant /Notable Contributing 0/13 2. County St. Joseph 3. Survey No. 4. Historic Name Blackstone Theatre Corporation 5. Township Portage Preliminary No. 141-598-56196 6. Address 212 South Michigan 7. City South Bend, IN. 46601 8. Quad Name South Bend West INDIANA HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES INVENTORY State of Indiana Department of Natural Resources State Form 16822/ Revised 1987 I Z. M icN ic p N' 5e!g6 3.- 02 -Sg 9. Common ame State Theatre Visible Yes No 1. Endangered Explain Yes ® No 12. Ownership 0 Public 0 Private Owner's Address (if different) City of South Bend 13. Use Present Past Residence Commercial theatre vacant 19. Time Period(s) 1919 14. Category Building(s) District O Site O Structure O Object 15. Surveys / Legal Protections National Register - MRA 16. Location Notes / Legal Description 56-67 0.P. S 1/2 lot 57 & 20 ft 8 3/4 1 inches N. side lot 56 0. P. South Bend. 18-3003-0056 20. Style(s) Neo-classic, Beaux-Arts 21. Architect / Builder 17. Condition O Excellent Good Fair Deteriorated O Ruins 18. Integrity O Unaltered KI Altered Masi() r O Moved Date moved 22. SPECIFY ALTERATIONS Removals Replacement 23. DESCRIPTION Additions metal street canopy Other 24. SITE PLAN Stories 4 Third story rises two levels Plan Rectangular Foundation Concrete Chim: none et. Description on back Roof windows aroapet ofbeloozed terra Gotta tops the facade. Five dtt I c Porches The recessed 3rd story gives wasy to a balcony alont the base of the columns with iron railings and three doors alternating with brick filled panels. Openings Doors: Nooriginal doors. Windows: Windows are simple double hung. Interior Grounds/ Outbuildings Located on the east side of the Downtown Mall. e / C4// G/- -/ N 25. No. of Contributing Resources 1 26. No. of Non-contributing Resources 0 27. Environment Commercial 28. Areas of Significance: Art Commerce Communications Community Planning Conservation 0 Economics Education Engineering Entertainment/ recreation 0 Ethnic heritage 0 Explorationlsettlement Health / medicine Indian Industry Invention Landscape architecture Law 0 Literature 0 Military 0 Performing arts Philosophy Politics / government Religion 0 Science Social history Transportation 0 Vernacular / Construction Other 29. Historic Context(s) / Statement of Significance! Additional Description: Januar 28, 1921, the Black- stone Theater Corporation directors held an informal opening of the ne4TTACH NEGATIVE auditorium at 212-218 South Michigan. Invited guests were city offi caIENVELOPE HERE clergy, press, and stockholders. They were entertained with the showing of the photo drama " Once To Every Woman" starring Doroth Phillips. A seventeen piece orchestra performed under the direction of Angelo Vitale. The Kimball pipe organ was played by Professor Grenville Tompsett. By January 31, 1921, 15,236 South Bend area people had attende this magnificent theater called the "Pride of South Bend." The Blackstone Theater project was initiated November of 1910 by Chicago interest represented by Jacob Handelsman, department manager of the W.W. Kimball Co. of Chicag Illinois, and by Charles E. Potts, general superintendent of Inland Steel Mills, Indiana Harbor, Indiana. They secured a ninety nine year lease for the property at 216, 218 South '1i chi gan owned by Frank C. Toepp, St. and leased by him to seven small businesses. An article in the News Times, December 17, 1918 30. FOR STATE OFFICE USE ONLY announced that the "City Will Have a New .Movie House" NR A picture of the front elevation of the theater to be SR erected appeared in the newspaper around this time. E were listed as Rapp and Rapp of Chicago NE ThearchitectsSEE CONTINUATION SHEET 31. UTM 32. Information Sources Blackstone -State Theater Building 212-218 South Michigan Plat Book: book 1, pages 1,2 Deed Book: Bk. 314, pg. 76,77 Bk. 354, pg. 258 to 261 Bk. 383 pg. 409 Bk. 650, pg. 58 Mortgage Records: Bk. 15: 122 to 127 Bk. 211, pg. 260 Bk. 354, pg. 132 Assessment Records: 1932 to present pgs. 33. Surveyor John Stamper June 18, 1978 Affiliation Date 34. Revised by Chris Nagy Fall 87 Affiliation Date Description of Walls: The two level high third story is recessed behind 4 sets of paired, fluted columns with one columns with one column and pilaster at each end. The recessed wall is composed of panels of diagonal brick and terra cotta patterns framed by flat pilasters and a cornice line. Above these panels are sculpted terra cotta panels heralding the performing arts. Additional Features: A window is located at either end of teh facade with a heavily ornamented falso balcony and exagerrated lintel with a Jestor's face sculpted at the top. Additional Statement of Significance: These plans were not the ones that were adopted. On the 9th of January, 1919, the Blackstone Theater Corp. filed incorporation papers in the State of Indiana. They listed capitol stock at $600,000 or 6,000 shares at $10.00 a share. The new corporation received theninety nine year leases for lot 56 and 57, 0.P. from Jacob Handelsman and Charles Potts. In June of 1919, the building on the McGill property was razed, but one of the tenants that had leased from Frank C. Toepp, St. filed a restraining order against the Blackstone Theater Corporation and the case was not settled until August of 1919. The Blackstone Theater Corporation placed an ad in.the South Bend Tribune,September 4, 1919, announc- ing a limited stock offer. The corporation reminded the people of the area that the building of the theather was a home project and the Blackstone Theater Corporation wanted home capitol to share all the profits. Enough money must have been raised to get the project started because on the 22nd of September, 1919 the city issued a building permit. In 1919 the Ralph Sollitt and Son Construction firm of Chicago established a regional office in South Bend. Ralph S. Sollitt and Lincoln Sollitt headed this area office and they contracted to build the Black- stone Theater Building. Ralph and Lincoln Sollitt later organized the Sollitt Construction Corporation of South Bend. In May of 1920, the Union Trust Company purchased $200,000 in bonds from the Blackstone Theater Corporation leased the store building and rooms in the building to doctors, dentists, shoe stores, jewelry stores, restaurants, and the Little Folks Clothing Shop. On January 27th 1921, on page 8 of the News Times Newspaper, the new Blackstone was described as Indiana's Most Beautiful Photo Play Theater." The fire -proof building cost $500,000, and was designed by Henry Newhouse of Chicago. It had concrete floors and stairways and the only wood used was for window and door casings. The lobby was 60' x 35', finished with imported marble and tile supplied by E.E. Horse pool of the South Bend Marble Company. The theater building, suggesting a style patterned after the old Roman Coliseum. There were small balconies at the sides of the theater but no posts obstructed the view from the other seats. The walls had a brocade effect in brown and gold with the draperies supplied by Mandel Brothers of Chicago. The velvet carpet and leather shairs were supplied by Karper Brothers of Chicago through Robertson Brothers of South Bend. The oval dome was made of fine sky blue art glass that matched the blue ceiling. The film booth was one of the largest and most complete in the United States and had three Cimplex Company motion picture projectors for showing silent moving pictures. The sound for the pictures was provided by an orchestraand organ. The stage could be enlarged for concerts and musicals. One of the new features of the theater was a nursery for children with an attendant to take care of them while parents attended the performance. The outside front of the theater has ten massive columns, starting at the second story. Five large urns are at the base of these columns, giving the building the look of neo-classic style of architecture. In February, 192.2, the auditorium was leased to the R.B. Corporation, managed by Ezra Rhodes. The Blacksotne Theater Corporation had financial difficulties in 1923, and the directors secured -a 250, 000 mortgage from the Meyer -Kiser Bank of Indianapolis. In 1931, the Blackstone Theater Corporation went into receivership and J.J. Kiser was appointed the trustee. The name of the theater was changed from Blackstone to State Theater at this time. Kiser remained trustee of the building, arranging leases for theater and stores; -anti l 1942 The frank Toepp, Sr. heirs still retain the property lot 56 0.P.. Mrs. Gabriel Summers and her daughter, Alice Stephensons Ayling, purchased part of lot 56 and 57 0.P. in 1939 from the U.S. Department of Financial Institute when their -agent liquidated the St. Joseph Loan and Trust Co. of South Bend, who held an interest in lots 56 and 57 0.P. Alice Ayling gave a Warranty Deed to the property to the Sisters of Holy Cross in 1964. IN 1976, this property was transferred to the Corporation of St. Mary's College. In 1959, the Balaban and Katz organization, who leased the theater, remodeled the front of the building. Montana and Schultz were the architect and H. F. Glaser Construction Company of South Bend did the remodeling work. In February of 1977, a newspaper article mentioned the probable closing of the theater because the downtown mall had not revived interest in the area and the theater was losing money. August, 1978, the front of the theater, "The Pride of South Bend" was boarded over and a "For Sale" sign was posted. The theatre was sold to the City of South Bend, Dept. of Development in 1986. Additional Sources: Miscellaneous Records: BK.Q, pg. 8,9,10; Bk. Q pg 72 & 88; Bk Q, pg. 99 to 111; BK. Q, pg. 208 and 209; Bk. Q, pg. 117; Bk. R, pg. 190; Bk. R, pg. 224; Bk.R, pg. 304; Bk. R, pg. 530; Bk. R, pg. 564; Bk. S, pg. 42; Bk. V, pg. 118 to 122; Bk Y, pg. 299; Bk. 29, pg. 462, 474, 632; Bk. 30, pg. 37; Bk. 44, pg. 535, 536; Bk. 45, pg. 88, 89; Bk. 75, 8 to 16. Court Orders: Civil Order Bk. 33- Cause No. 56861, St. Joseph Superior Court No. 1 pg. 292 to 295. Civil order Book 14- Cause 33355, St. Joseph Superior Court No. 2 pg. 15. Books: Gabriel Rush Summers: Howard, History of St. Joseph County pg. 778,779. Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties PG. 690. Anderson, and Colley, South Bend and the Men Who Made It pg. 152, 153, 395. Esarey, Logan, History of Indiana..pg. 152,154. Frank and Johanna Toepp: Howard, History of St. Joseph County pg. 771, 778 Anderson, and Colley, South Bend and the Men Who Made IT pg. 206. Pictorial andBiographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties Pg. 353 Marquee Scrap Book: History and Travel Dept. South Bend Public Library, Vol. 5 pg. 3 1973, Theater op- erated by Ezra Rhodes. Newspapers: News Times: 17 Dec. 1918; 27 Jan. 1921 pg. 8; 28 Jan. 1921 pg. 16; 30 Jan. 1921. South Bend Tribune: 21 June 1919; 1 Jul.y 1919; 11 Aug. 1919; 4 Sept. 1919; 22 Sept. 1919 pg. 5; 28 Jan. 1921; 29 Jan 1921; 3 Dec. 1941; 28 Dec. 1942; 25 Oct. 1927; 21 Nov. 1933; 4 March 1944; 29 June 1959. Clipping File: History and Travel Dept. South Bend Public Library Blackstone State Theater. Scrapbook: Northern Indiana Historical Museum: Bk. D, pg. 48 WPA Marriage Records: 28 Oct. 1880, G.R. Summers, Mercy Longley 7 Aug. 1900, F.C. Toepp, Johanna Kamm field survey and evaluation surveyors t . 1 e- survey date 1 fj l cy7e, revision date edns/ 1uroi4tu6ts 0O 00 photo number field file overall opinion style rigo - ct-Astc:- AL)7'- T5 details i (.-.) a,LJt1 i 4:Fm;zrpc-, eta -rota!, Critintegy t r L - condition cip sP, site + outbuildings j.Cc;a-fin ciL; historical significance o LP general description number of stories 2.1. (imcc7 TLt5ES -I-LAX.) i•-tee+-5 plan roof-T ph P "—`ram 'vim wall dry' L c:e 4 c:, LA to lt P d- c(71114.. foundation structural system site I-'06-4[ P' z; GAI.)c F1 e2ga icri..;2 - I -IC Oi= TkEE ps...rJ roof ri._.p I. `r r`lz-- T LC) t •v C&..75 i.-i _iJ wall -Amy Y—, t-v-.i- 4144 _ ii4.reD SjO 15a e`er -ill- t . T ire— -PA, T /aCrl La—t... i i Hi S L-s oP Rye>JB.L_ 'f .ice TE ,A comp.: doors i.ii-py 4CJLbiNc, 119 07-16INA-1- •LiX_Se.S windows L`,''1`' 2olAS stairs chimneys towe rs + steeples IJc)a:C parch + balcony I moo - I LLI. e o N % ALu 1v C, T r 'A- I fir "I c c L iv1 h1S vJ I tL : 1Z/-1iri1:Nai`" -1 E& t" -tWi 4L-Izx•%YTik)c-7 wV "12=41C- 'FtLA- additional features r1 w aJ " o is ;c at era T ET-(- orris P .v t L_y arEmi.)A..F ke.; - teimrit' 0 rt_ Nto motd uoP44p aivp uoilon. A4suoo 00 0. 0 ioavtyo.)? uo pv. A is i6 e., a saint J o s e p h county historical s u r v e crumlish/sporleder and associates y architecture urban design 511 w. colfax south bP(!c!, Indiana field survey and evaluation surveyors John Stamper survey date June 18, 197i revision date style Neo-classic, Beaux-Arts details Fluted columns supporting entab. rit Street level signs and sidwalkintegrityycanopydetractfromappearance condition Good site + outbuildings located on Mall historical significance Should be saved number' of stories 4 - Third story rises two levels plan Rectangular roof Flat with parapet above facade wall Brick and glazed terra cotta foundation Concrete structural system Steel and Concrete site Located on the east side of the Downtown. Mall. Trees, terraces, and sidewalk canopies obscure much of the facade. roof Flat - A parapet of glazed terra cotta tops the facade. Five attic windows lie just below the parapet. wall The two level high third story is recessed behind 4 sets of paired, fluted columns with one column and pilaster at each end. The recessed wall is composed of panels of diagonal brick trio= doors. windows and terra cotta patterns framed by flat pilasters and a cornice line, Above these panels are sculpted terra, cotta panels heralding the performing arts. No original doors. Windows are simple double hung. stairs chimneys towe rs + steeples None porch + balcony The recessed third story gives way to a bal- cony along the base of the columns with iron railings and three doors alternating with brick filled panels. additional features A window is located at either end of the facade with a heavily ornamented falso balcony and exagerrated lintel with a Jestor`s face sculpted at the ton. spnN CLg L uo s, APadde m3rt cmm asn leu16i, io 3 D aa ea41, alels n 0 pua8 tiq nos 3 P 8- y O Iv N rt m £ coO- r a 3 u0 3 3 8- aa fn c> rt m rt saint j o s e p h county historical survey crumlihJre orleder and architec ure n 511 w. colfax south ana 212-214 S. Michigan Street legal description 56-57 O.P. S 1/2 lot 57 and 20 ft. 8 3-4 1 inches N. side lot 56 O.P. South Bend Key Number: 1-03-18/3-4+7 1-03-18/3-48 historical notes On Friday, January 28, 1921, the Blackstone Theater Corporation directors held an informal opening of the new auditorium at 212-218 South Michigan. Invited guests were city officials, clergy, press, and stockholders. They were enter- tained with the showing of the photo drama "once To Every Woman" starring Dorothy Phillips. A seventeen piece orchestra performed under the direction of Angelo Vitale. The Kimball pipe organ was played by Professor Grenville Tompsett. By January 31, 1921, 15,236 South Bend area people had attended this magnificent theater called the "Pride of South Bend." The Blackstone Theater project was initiated November of 1918 by Chicago interests represented by Jacob Handelsman, department manager of the W. W. Kimball Co. of Chicgo, Illinois. z.:id by Charles E. Potts, general superintendent of Inland Steel Mills, Indiana HArbor, Indiana. They secured a ninety-nine year lease to the pro- perty from John McGill who was engaged in a furniture business at this location. They also secured a ninety-nine year lease for the property at 216, 218 South Michigan owned by Frank C. Toepp, St. and leased by him to seven small businesses. An article in the News Times, December 17, 1918, announced that the "City Will Have a New Movie House". A picture of the front elevation of the theater to be erected appeared in the newspaper around this time. The architects were listed as Rapp and Rapp of Chicago. These plans were not the ones that were adopted. 0n the 9th of January, 1919, the Blackstone Theater Corp. filed incorporation papers in the State of Indiana. They listed capitol stock at $600,000 or 6,000 shares at $10.00 a share. The new corporation received the ninety-nine year leases for lot 56 and 57, 0.P. from Jacob Handelsman and Charles Potts. In June of 1919, the building on the McGill property was razed, but one of the tenants that had leased from Frank C. Toepp, St. filed a restraining order against the Blackstone Theater Corporation and the case was not settled until August of 1919. The Blackstone Theater Corporation placed an ad in the South -Bend Tribune, Sept- ember 4, 1919, announcing a limited stock offer. The corporation reminded the people of the area that the building of the theater was a home project and the Blackstone Theater Corporation wanted home capitol to share all the profits. Enough money must have been raised to get the project started because on the 22nd of September, 1919, the city issued a building permit. continued on white sheet) source of information See white sheet for source of information) 212-214 S. Michigan Street Historical Notes (continued) In 1919 the Ralph Sollitt and Son Construction firm of Chicago established a regional office in South Bend. Ralph S. Sollitt and Lincoln Sollitt headed this area office and they contracted to build the Blackstone Theater Building. Ralph and Lincoln Sollitt later organized the Sollitt Construction Corporation of South Bend. In May of 1920, the Union Trust Company purbhased $200,000 in bonds from the Black- stone Theater Corporation, which gave them an interest in later financial trans actions. The Blackstone Theater Corporation leased the store building and rooms in the build- ing to doctors, dentists, shoe stores, jewelry stores, restaurants, and the Little Folks Clothing Shop 0n January 27th 1921, on page 8 of the News Times Newspaper, the new Blackstone was described as "Indiana's Most Beautiful Photo Play Theater." The fire -proof build- ing cost $500,000, and was designed by Henry Newhouse of Chicago. It had concrete floors and stairways and the only wood used was for window and door casings. The lobby was 60' x 35', finished with imported marble and tile supplied by E. E. Horse - pool of the South Bend Marble Company. The theater had a seating capacity of 2,500 seats with ample room between the rows. The rows of seats gradually rose from the orchestra pit to the highest level in the theater building, suggesting a style pat- terned after the old Roman Coliseum. There were small balconies at the sides of the theater but no posts obstructed the view from the other seats. The walls had a brocade effect in brown and gold with the draperies supplied by Mandel Brothers of Chicago. The velvet carpet and leather shairs were supplied by Karper Brothers of Chicago through Robertson Brothers of South Bend. The oval dome was made of fine sky blue art glass that matched the blue ceiling. The film booth was one of the largest and most complete in the United States and had.three Cimplex Company motion picture projectors for showing silent moving pictures. The soud for the pictures was provided by an orchestra and organ. The stage could be enlarged for concerts and musicals. 0Ne of the new features of the theater was a nursery for children, with an attend- ant to take care of them while parents attended the performance. The outside front of the theater has ten massive columns, starting at the second story. Five large urns are at the base of these columns, giving the building the look of neo-classic style of architecture. In February, 1922, the auditorium was leased to the R. B. Corporation, managed by Ezra Rhodes. The Blackstone Theater Corporation had financial difficulties in 1923, and the directors secured a $250,000 mortgage from the Meyer -Kiser Bank of Indianapolis. In 1931, the Blackstone Theater Corporation went into receivership and J. J. Kiser was appointed the trustee. The name of the theater was changed from Black- stone to State Theater at this time. Kiser remained trustee of the building, arranging leases for theater and stores, until 1942. The Frank Toepp, Sr... heirs still retain the property - lot 56 0.P. Mrs. Gabriel Summers and her daughter, Alice Stephensons Ayling, purchased part of lot 56 and 57 0.P., in 1939 from the U.S. Department of Financial Institute when their agent liquidated the St. Joseph Loan and Trust Co. of South Bend, who held an interest in lots 56 and 57 0.P. Alice Ayling gave a Warranty Deed to the property to the Sisters of Holy Cross in 1964. In 1976, this property was transferred to the Corporation of St. Mary's College. In 1959, the front of the Construction Balaban and Katz organization, who leased the theater, remodeled the building. Montana and Schultz were the architect and H. F. Glaser Company of South Bend did the remodeling work. 212-214 S. Michigan Street Page 2 In February of 1977, a newspaper article mentioned the probable closing of the theater because the downtown mall had not revived interest in the area and the theater was losing money. August, 1978, the front of the theater, "The Pride of South Bend" was boarded over and a "For Sale" sign was posted. Source of information: Blackstone - State Theater Building 212 - 218 South Michigan Plat Book: Book 1, pages 1, 2 Deed Book: Book 314, pages 76, 77 Book 354, pages 258 to 261 Book 383, page 409 Book 650, page 58 Mortgage Records Book 156, pages 122 to 127 Book 211, page 260 Book 354, page 132 Assessment Records: 1932 to present Miscellaneous Records: Book Q, pages 8, 9, 10; Book Q pages 72 and 88; Book Q, pages 99 to 111; Book Q, pages 208 and 209; Book Q, page 117; Book R, page 190; Book R, page 224; Book R, page 304; Book R, page 530; Book R, page 564; Book S, page 42; Book V, pages 118 to 122; Book Y, page 299; Book 29, pages 462, 474, 632; Book 30, page 37; Book 44, pages 535, 536; Book 45, pages 88, 89; Book 75, 8 to 16 Court Orders: Civil Order Book 33 - Cause No. 56861, St. Joseph Superior Court No. 1 Page 292 to 295 Civil Order Book 14 - Cause 33355, St. Joseph Superior Court No. 2 Page 15 Books: Gabriel Rush Summers Howard, History of St. Joseph County - pages 778, 779 Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties - page 690 Anderson, and Colley, South Bend and the Men Who Made It pages 152, 153, 395 Esarey, Logan, History of Indiana Pages 152, 154 Frank and Johanna Toepp Howard, History of St. Joseph County - pages 771, 778 Anderson, and Colley, South Bend and the Men Who Made It - page 206 Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties - page 353 Marquee Scrap Book - History and Travel Dept. - South Bend Public Library Vol. 5 - page 3 1973 - Theater operated by Ezra Rhodes Newspapers: News Times: 17 Dec. 1918; 27 Jan. 1921 - page 8; 28 Jan. 1921 - page 16 30 Jan. 1921 South Bend Tribune: 21 June 1919; 1 July 1919; 11 Aug. 1919; 4 Sept. 1919; 22 Sept. 1919 - page 5; 28 Jan. 1921; 29 Jan. 1921; 3 Dec. 1941; 28 Dec. 1942; 25 Oct. 1927; 21 Nov. 1933; 4 March 1944; 29 June 1959 Clipping File: History and Travel Dept. - South Bend Public Library - Blackstone - State Theater Scrapbook: Northern.Indiana Historical Museum: Book D, page 48 WPA Marriage Records: 28 Oct. 1880 - G. R. Summers, Mercy Longley 7 Aug. 1900 - F. C. Toepp, Johanna Kamm Blackstone Theater Newspaper Clippings in Provence Archive (see Brother Andrew Corsini) South Bend News -Times (Partial Listing) December 17, 1918 - "City Will Have New Movie House" Plans by Rapp&Rapp May 13, 1919 - "Receives Plans for New Theater" Construction by H. G. Christman interior will be French Renaissaince August 13, 1919 - "Blackstone Theater to Award Contracts for Building Today" Building designed by Henry Newhouse of Chicago January 11, 1920 -"Take Blackstone Stock From Mart" March 19, 1920 - "Rush Work on Theater Building" June 8, 1920 - "Local Men may Control Blackstone" June 9, 1920 - "Local Men May Buy Blacstone" December 8, 1920 - "Theater Promotes to Sell Interest" December 28, 1920 - "Open Blackstone Theater on Jan.10" January 11, 1921 - "Blackstone Elects Officers" January 18, 1921 - "Plan to Open Blackstone Jan. 29" January 28, 1921 - "New Building is one of City's Fine Structures' January 29, 1921 - "Theaters" January 29, 1921 - "Blackstone is Dedicated with Formal Opening" Febuary 14, 1927 - "Newly Decorated Blackstone to Reopened Tonight" 52,000 spent in decorating and new equipment The South Bend Tribune December 22, 1976 - (Appears to be Letter to the Editor) By Brother Andrew Corsini Architects - Newhouse & Bernham of Chicago Theater in Cincinatti has same facade MPS Fero 11 10100•s Ds4) United States .Department of the interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory —Nomination Form Historic Resources of Continuation sheet Downtown South Bend Item number OMe rn '024 -oo's E46 K)-31-64 Page 53 k. The Blackstone or State Theater 212 South Michigan 141-56196-598 d. 1919 Description: OWNER: Frank C., Geraldine, Ida P. and Burton E. Toepp 4/9 interest) 727 E. Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, Indiana 46617 and: Mr. Jason Lindower, Controller 5/9 interest) St. Mary's College Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 Photo #63, 64; Building #34 The Blackstone Theater, located mid -block on the downtown mall (Michigan Street between Jefferson and Wayne) is a four-story, Neo-Classical structure of brick and terra-cotta. The first floor contains four small shops and the theater entrance which, along with the marquee, have been modernized. The second floor consists of a row of double -hung windows which form a base for the loggia above.. The loggia rises up to the height of four floors and is supportedby four sets of paired fluted columns with one column at each end. The loggia is framed by pilasters and an entablature.Thewall behind the colonnade is composed of panels of brick and terra-cotta within a diagonal basket weave pattern framed by pilasters and an entablature. Above each diagonal patterned panel are embossed terra-cotta panels heralding the performing arts. Flanking the loggia are simple, double -hung windows with elaborate terra-cotta surrounds. Below each window is a balconette and above is an.. exaggerated lintel containing a jester's face in place of a keystone. Significance: The Blackstone Theater was initiated in 1918 by businessmen from.Chicago. Incorporation was filed in 1919 and 99-year leases were acquired on Lots 56 and 57 of the Original Plat. In September, 1919,the city issued a building permit and the Ralph Sollitt and Son Con- struction firm began construction on the theater designed by Henry Newhouse, of Chicago. The fireproof structure cost $500,000, seated 2,500, and boasted one of the largest and most complete film booths in the United States, equipped with Cimplex Company motion picture projectors. The theater also offered a nursery for children whose parents were attending the performance. Thetheater' s name was changed to the State Theater in 1931, after being purchased from receivership. It remained in business until 1973. Architecturally, the Blackstone Theater is an outstanding example of a Neo-Classical theater and the only one extant in the downtown area. Designed for motion pictures and vaudeville shows, it contains many of the features typical to theaters built during the early 20th century, including lavish interior, ornate plaster work, abundant use of terra-cotta, and special services such as the nursery and shops. UTI1 Reference: 16/562440/4613690 Acreage: Less than one acre Legal: South 1/2 Lot 57 and 20.8 feet North side Lot 56, Original Plat of South Bend Parcel #18- 3003-0048 and 18-3003-0047 columns with one column and pilaster at each end. The recessed wall is composed of panels of diagonal brick and terra cotta patterns framed by flat pilasters and a cornice line. Above these panels are sculpted terra cotta panels heralding the performing arts. Additional Features: A window is located at either end of teh facade with a heavily.ornamented falso balcony and exagerrated lintel with a Jestor's face sculpted at the top. Additional Statement of Significance: These plans were not the ones that were adopted. 0n the 9th of January, 1919, the Blackstone Theater Corp. filed incorporation papers in the State of Indiana. They listed capitol stock at $600,000 or 6,000 shares at $10.00 a share. The new corporation received theninety nine year leases for lot 56 and 57, 0.P. from Jacob Handelsman and Charles Potts. In June of 1919, the building on the McGill property was razed, but one of the tenants that had leased from Frank C. Toepp, St. filed a restraining order against the Blackstone Theater Corporation and the case was not settled until August of 1919. The Blackstone Theater Corporation placed an ad in.the South Bend Tribune,September 4, 1919, announc- ing a limited stock offer. The corporation reminded the people of the area that the building of the theather was a home project and the Blackstone Theater Corporation wanted home capitol to share all the profits. Enough money must have been raised to get the project started because on the 22nd of September, 1919 the city issued a building permit. In 1919 the Ralph Sollitt and Son Construction firm of Chicago established a regional office in South Bend. Ralph S. Sollitt and Lincoln Sollitt headed this area office and they contracted to build the Black- stone Theater Building. Ralph and Lincoln Sollitt later organized the Sollitt Construction Corporation of South Bend. In May of 1920, the Union Trust Company purchased $200,000 in bonds from the Blackstone Theater Corporation leased the store building and rooms in the building to doctors, dentists, shoe stores, jewelry stores, restaurants, and the Little Folks Clothing Shop. 0n January 27th 1921, on page 8 of the News Times Newspaper, the new Blackstone was described as Indiana's Most Beautiful Photo Play Theater." The fire -proof building cost $500,000, and was designed by Henry Newhouse of Chicago. It had concrete floors and stairways and the only wood used was for window and door casings. The lobby was 60' x 35', finished with imported marble and tile supplied by E.E. Horse pool of the South Bend Marble Company. The theater building, suggesting a style patterned after the old Roman Coliseum. There were small balconies at the sides of the theater but no posts obstructed the view from the other seats. The walls had a brocade effect in brown and gold with the draperies supplied by Mandel Brothers of Chicago. The velvet carpet and leather shairs were supplied by Karper Brothers of Chicago through Robertson Brothers of South Bend. The oval dome was made of fine sky blue art glass that matched the blue ceiling. The film booth was one of the largest and most complete in the United States and had three Cimplex Company motion picture projectors for showing silent moving pictures. The sound for the pictures was provided by an orchestraand organ. The stage could be enlarged for concerts and musicals. One of the new features of the theater was a nursery for children with an attendant to take care of them while parents attended the performance. The outside front of the theater ha.ten massive columns, starting at the second story. Five large urns are at the base of these columns, giving the building the look of neo-classic style of architecture. In February, 1922, the auditorium was leased to the R.B. Corporation, managed by Ezra Rhodes. The Blacksotne Theater Corporation had financial difficulties in 1923, and the directors secured -a 250, 000 mortgage from the Meyer -Kiser Bank of Indianapolis. In 1931, the Blackstone Theater Corporation went into receivership and J.J. Kiser was appointed the trustee. The name of the theater was changed from r1 State Theater at this time. Kiser remained trustee of the building, arranging leases for