Empire Real Estate and Theatre Company (Glens Falls, N.Y.)

The Empire Theatre, owned by the Empire Real Estate and Theatre Company, opened on South Street, Glens Falls, N.Y. on October 5, 1899. Designed by the architect J. B McElphattrick, the three-story building housed an auditorium, a banquet room, kitchen, card rooms, parlors, toilette rooms, and a ballroom. Addison B. Colvin was the first president and the general manager, serving through 1913. James A. Holden (1861-1918) was one of the original stockholders and served at various times as manager, secretary, and treasurer. Holden was active in the business and cultural affairs of Glens Falls. Also known for his interest in local and regional history, Holden was New York State Historian from 1911 to 1916.

For many years the Empire Theatre was a successful venue for vaudeville, theatrical productions, and musical performance. At the turn of the twentieth century, the theater competed with local movie houses to show moving pictures, but by the 1940's it was losing money. When the building came up for public auction on July 18, 1946 there were no bidders and the title passed to Judge McPhillips, who held a second mortgage on the property. Empire Theatre was remodeled as an office building in 1950.

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