NOTE OCTOBER 27, 2013 - With all of the work the city is doing on Main Street, it seems that the object that once held this cache is no longer there. I have moved it to a location I have always considered an alternate area for this cache. Although it is a little further from the Riviera, this postage stamp size park was just irresistible. I average the new coords for almost 5 minutes and had 7 foot accuracy, so (hopefully) all should be good here. If you have found this before, you may log this again as it is in a new location.
Welcome to the
Historic Riviera Theatre
Home of the
Mighty Wurlitzer
&
The Niagara Regional Theatre Guild
Billed as the "Showplace of the Tonawanda's", the Riviera Theatre was built during the year 1926, by the Yellen Family. The architects Leon H. Lempart and Son drew the plans, which were patterned after the Italian Renaissance. The interior artwork was painted at the Rochester Studio of Willard M. Lusk, by Ferdinand Kebely.
The Wurlitzer Organ to be installed in the new Theatre, Opus 1524 was shipped from the Wurlitzer Factory on November 19, 1926. Listed as a Model 235 Special, the organ differed from a standard 3 manual 11 rank Model 235, by substituting an Oboe Horn rank of pipes from the standard Salicional pipes usually found on this model. Other differences included the omission of the standard remote Piano, and a 5 H.P. blower instead of the 7-1/2 H.P. The console was painted and decorated to harmonize with the Theatre’s interior, by Wurlitzer’s Band Organ Artist.
Opening night, Thursday, December 30, 1926 of the New RIVERA (as it was spelled then) was a ‘gala event’ in the Tonawanda's. Advance reservations for opening night cost $1.00. Present on this special evening, were the Mayors of both Tonawanda's. From the stage, Mayor James P. Mackenzie of North Tonawanda, praised the President of the Ownership Corporation of the Theatre, Henry Henshel, and the Theatre’s Manager, James J. Kelly. Messages of Congratulation of the Grand Opening were received from Governor Alfred E. Smith, and famous movie producer Cecil B. Demille.
Featured on the screen, were the movies "Upstage" starring Norma Shearer, "The Mona Lisa", in Technicolor, a short comedy, and the newsreel. Organist Fred Meyer accompanied the films and soloed at the Mighty Wurlitzer. The stage featured vaudeville and musical events, as well.
The Riviera Theatre was placed on the Register of Historic Landmarks by the U.S. Department of the Interior – April 22, 1980 – but the future of the building was somewhat in doubt. A "Save the Riviera" benefit concert was held in June of 1981.
Early in 1988, the Riviera was once again put up for sale, along with its Mighty Wurlitzer. The organ club (Niagara Frontier Theatre Organ Society) decided an attempt should be made to purchase the theatre, by the club itself, and on August 12, 1988 a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ was reached with the owners. In the next few months, a fund raising drive was undertaken in the Tonawanda's and Western New York. Even the City of North Tonawanda itself attracted widespread interest and help. On February 14, 1989, the Niagara Frontier Theatre Organ Society (N.F.T.O.S.) closed the deal to purchase the Riviera and its Wurlitzer. Every effort of the club, city and Western New York is geared towards the goal of preserving the Riviera and its heritage, and to turn this fine theatre into a "Performing Arts Center of the Tonawanda".
In 1999, RTOPS replaced the old Wurlitzer pneumatic relay with an Artisan solid-state relay. The theatre has been the product of extensive restoration and renovation since 1991. This work has been carried out by many dedicated volunteers who donate many hours of their time.
For more information including history and upcoming shows, please go to http://www.rivieratheatre.org/
As for the cache, there is not much to tell. The park is tiny so not many places to hide. STEALTH IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST. This hide is all about the history and this gem of a theatre.