Remember the Hollywood Theatre from the old days in Niagara Falls

Even most older Niagara Falls residents only remember the building at 5956 Main Street being called the Princess Theatre. And it was – after 1956 when it as renamed.

But prior to that, it had two different names. When it opened in 1922, it was called the Web Theatre.

However, that only lasted nine years before it was renamed the far more glamourous Hollywood Theatre in 1931, a 860-seat venue including a balcony.

Courtesy of the Niagara Falls Museum, here’s a shot of the interior of the Hollywood Theatre/Princess Theatre. Date of the photo is unknown.

Precious few alive still recall that name, keeping in mind those around when it was first renamed the Princess  are of retirement age now and it only lasted under that name until 1978 when it closed.

That means maybe – just maybe – residents had a chance to see that modest 1977 hit “Star Wars” before it shut down.

After that, it became the Canadian Serbian Cultural Center well into the 2000s before the City of Niagara Falls eventually bought the property in 2012.

According to Google Maps, after Niagara Falls had Budget Environmental Disposal Inc tear it down for the price of $110,511, the property has been bordered off.

On the left is a photo of the original Web Theatre with a parade marching past in 1926, just four years after it opened. (Photo: Niagara Falls Museum) On the right, what Google Maps shows as being 5956 Main St in Niagara Falls now.