POT POURRI: Thanks to Charles Cox, we have a cornucopia of
material to share with readers.

Let’s get started: Long before the days of “historic
preservation” is a clipping from June 27, 1961, about the beginning
of the demolition of the Bradford Theatre.

“Pearlman and Mandell, Pittsburgh demolition contractors, Monday
moved in their cranes and equipment and started to raze the
once-beautiful theatre where the greatest stars of the American
stage performed in road shows of Broadway’s most illustrious
hits.”

The theater, which opened in 1902, was to be “leveled to grade”
for possible use as a parking lot. At the time of demolition, it
apparently had been vacant for some time.

“Upon its opening early in the century the Bradford Theatre was
one of the most luxurious and commodious playhouses outside the
metropolitan areas. Its seating capacity totaled 1,600 in the
orchestra and two balconies. Its stage was larger than that of any
New York City theatre with the exception of the Hippodrome.

“Its playbills contain the names of many of the brightest stars
of the American stage. Sarah Bernhardt – the ‘Divine Sarah’ –
played the theater. So did all the Barrymores – Ethel, Lionel and
John. Geraldine Farrar, great Metropolitan Opera soprano, appeared
on its stage.

In the mid-20s, the house was purchased by the Shea Theatre
chain which instituted a policy of vaudeville and feature pictures.
It was continued until the advent of sound movies killed
vaudeville.

“The Dipson Interests bought the Shea holdings here, including
the Grand Theatre, and opened the new house for the Bradford
Theatre. Its vast three-floored interior, was too expensive to heat
and maintain,” the story said.

AND ALSO: Our cornucopia also includes a photo from the June 28,
1972, Era – a historical shot of the flood of ’47.

The caption reads, “This grim sight was Main Street in the city
on Easter Saturday, April 5, 1947, when rampaging flood waters
inundated a good part of the city and its environs in a
never-to-be-forgotten catastrophe.”

The caption notes that the flood of 1947 was the impetus for a
“determined effort” for a flood control system in Bradford.

“The value of this flood control system was dramatically
justified these past few days,” the caption read. Its publication
in 1972 was obviously meant to contrast with how well the city
fared in the aftermath of Hurricane Agnes.