THE WAUPACA COUNTY POST

January 10, 1991

 

WHEN THEN WAS NOW

By Wayne A. Guyant

 

            The present site now occupied by Radio Shack and Colligan’s Bakery goes back to the days just after World War I, when a Mr. Downey had erected a wooden platform from the street out over the bank that dropped down to where the river ran by. He had a popcorn stand at this location.

            In 1921, Carl Cohen bought the property and built a new, two-story brick building.  The building was completed in October 1921, and at that time it became the first home of the National Guard unit of Waupaca.  A five-year lease was signed to provide an armory and home for the Howitzer Company 127^th Infantry, known as the Waupaca National Guards.

            The Guard unit was to occupy the ground floor and basement.  The rental fee was $1,500, which would include heat and fire service.  The main floor was used for drill purposes and was fitted up with a gymnasium for use by the members of the company.  On the lower floor Mr. Cohen reserved space for the boiler and coal rooms; the National Guard had the remaining space for toilets and bath, club room, property room, locker room with lockers for every man in the company, a reading room, a company commander’s office and a first sergeant’s office.  The club room and reading room were to be open at all times to the members.

            Capt. Holly had estimated that $10,000 would come annually to the City of Waupaca from the U.S. Treasury because of the National Guards being in Waupaca.

            After the lease expired the National Guard unit drilled on the second floor of the Dane’s Home, because the armory building, it was felt, would not withstand the weight and the marching, despite the fact that while the building was being constructed state architects were here to approve the construction for its safety to be used as an armory.

            Wrestling matches were held here in the armory.  Waupaca had quite a following in wrestling in those days.

            After the National Guard’s lease ran out, Carl Cohen filed for an Article of Organization with the state of Wisconsin, to form the “Waupaca Theatre Company.”  It was accepted and filed July 3, 1926. It was to have capital stock of $10,000 consisting of 1,000 shares at $10 a share. The officers were:  Carl Cohen, president; Sylvia Cohen, vice president; Harry Balkansky, secretary; Solomon Minkoff, treasurer; and a board of directors of four stockholders.

            The main floor was completely renovated and made over for a theatre and it was named the “Waupaca.”  This was the beginning of a theatre business at 108 N. Main Street for Carl Cohen that lasted until 1949.  However, Mr. Cohen was one of the first Waupaca theatre operators dating back to 1913. Clifford Quimby told me that his father, Bert Quimby, and Carl Cohen had been partners in a theatre enterprise at one time.

            The newly decorated Waupaca was leased to J. P. Adler of Marshfield in 1926 and continued to operate as a popular showhouse until December 24, 1946, when his lease ran out.

            Irving Ashe of the Ashe Theatre Corporation, picked up the expired lease from Mr. Cohen and renamed the Waupaca Theatre to the “State.”  The new State opened on January 5, 1947, showing “A Night in Casablana.”

            When it first opened, the State Theatre was in the process of being remodeled, at an estimated cost of between $12,000 and $15,000 to completely modernize the building.  The Nelson Painting Company had the contract for redecorating the interior; Lear Electric handled the wiring and other installations; the Nelson Sign Company had the contract for the signs at the front of the theatre, and some new projection equipment was installed.  Due to some material shortage new chairs had to be put on hold; meanwhile the Wisconsin Chair Company re-upholstered where necessary and did the revarnishing. Do you remember walking into the theatre and having to turn around to be seated to see the movie?

            In the Waupaca County Post there was a notice dated December 22, 1949, that the State Theatre reluctantly bids the public “Farewell.”

            “Our last show after 30 years in our present location will be screed Friday night, Dec. 23, 1949.  After that the State Theatre will exist no more. Marvin Cohen and all employees of the State Theatre join in thanking you for your support and wishing you a Happy Holiday Season.”

            The last show to be shown was a double feature, the “Bohemian Girl” and “Mob Town.”

            The building was once again remodeled to make way for a hardware store. Arthur L. Terhune purchased the building and opened the doors of his new Coast to Coast agency until 1972, when he became affiliated with True-Value.  Mr. Loomis retired in 1973 and sold his business to Jack Wachholz and Jesse Kennow, who continued with True-Value.

            Norah, wife of Douglas Loomis, let this property out on land contract in August 1975, and gave a clear title in Jly 1982.  Through several real estate transactions the building ended up in the possession of Darlene Shafer.  She told me that in 1985, she had the building front remodeled.

            This building is now the present location of Radio Shack and Colligan’s Old Time Bakery.