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Land is Purchased
Charles O. Chartier purchases land and buildings from Henry E. Minkler for $2,500.00 Chartiers sells property to the Club of French Sharpshooters for One Dollar -
Period: to
French Sharpshooters Hall and Orpheum Theatre
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Architect Chosen
June 10th, 1907 Louis E Destremps is chosen as Architect.
Mr. Destremps work can also be seen in the Star Store Building,
as well as the Car Barn, among other notable structures from
his short career. -
Work Begins on the Building
In 1910 work begins on building Theater. The construction of
this massive building will take place over the next 2 years, at a cost of $110,000. -
The Grand Opening
While the citizens of New Bedford lined up to enjoy the opening act of "The Five Musical Durands", that very same evening, the RMS Titanic was steaming toward her tragic end. -
H.A. Chenoweth is hired as manager
H.A. Chenoweth is hired as theater's first manager, his contract is signed with the Orpheum Amusement Co. of Boston. The new building has large ballroom and shooting range operated by the Club of French Sharpshooters. The theater opens with 1500 seats and featured live Vaudeville acts, along with photoplays, which were shown between acts. -
The Orpheum Circit is Formed
Martin Beck of Orpheum Circuit merges with Benjamin Franklin Keith and Edward Albee to form Keith—Albee – Orpheum Eventually these partnerships open over 400 theaters nationally Warner Brothers releases first talking movie “The Jazz Singer” -
Vaudeville is dealt a final blow
In one of the first hostile economic takeovers, Joseph Kennedy {Father of JFK}, bought 200,000 shares of Keith Albee Or pheum. Eventually forcing out director E.F. Albee. Kennedy then made all contracts for any performers mandatory that they also must do radio . This was a severe blow to the devout vaudevillians and an advent to the increasing popularity of motion pictures. Radio Corporation of America {RCA} merges with The Keith Albee Orpheum conglomerate and Forms RKO { Radio Keith Orpheum} -
RKO sees its first profitable film
RKO releases its first big film, “King Kong”. This film would go on to earn big money at the box office and became one of the first official "Blockbusters". -
RKO produces the definitive American Classic, Citizen Kane
RKO release Citizen Kane. Although it intitially lost money at the box office, it later was re-released in 1956 and went on to be regarded as the greatest film of all time. -
RKO crumbles under new ownership of Howard Hughes
In 1948 RKO fell under new management as millionaire Howard Hughes bought a controlling interest in the studio. His ‘micro management’ of the studio would lead to its downfall. Hughes continued his systematic disruption and dismantling of the studio up through 1955 when he split it into two entities: RKO Pictures, Inc. and RKO Theatres, Corp. He then sold RKO Pictures to a subsidy of General Tire and Rubber. In 1959 the name changed again to RKO General. -
The city of New Bedford takes control of the Orpheum Theatre
The city takes control of The Orpheum Theatre -
The French Sharpshooters sell the building
The Club of French Sharpshooters sells the title of the Orpheum to Antone “Peaches” Demello for $43,500. -
Lesco Tobacco and Candy takes over the building
Rose Lesco purchases New Bedford Orpheum Theatre and French Sharpshooters Hall to house a tobacco and candy warehouse. -
Lesco leaves, buildng languishes
Robert H. Lesco, Lesco Quality Corp., leaves the building empty. The building will languish for some time before finally being sold to the Diaz family. -
Building becomes occupied by Central Market
Ignacio Diaz, Mariam Morel Diaz and Guido Realty Trust start up Central Market. The market occupies the back side of the building and offers a wide variety of ethnic foods to a growing ethnic population in and around the building. The market thrives in this diverse community to this day.
