Downtown Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)

Fountain Street

Photographed by Bryan Simmons, June 2012

1. Fountain Street Marker

Inscription. At the turn of the century, the area around Mathewson Street was the core of Providence's entertainment district. By 1916, Providence had as many as sixteen theaters.

The site next to Grace Church marked the changes. The Nickel theater known as Lothrop's gave popular plays, variety performances, and " exhibited freaks." It eventually became the city's first full time movie house. The Nickel was then removed to make way for the E.F. Albee Stock Company Playhouse, which subsequently became RKO Albee as motion pictures displaced vaudeville, musicals, and repertory drama.

During the 1950's and 1960's, as people moved to the suburbs, the lights went out on the motion picture district. the Albee closed in 1970 and was torn down shortly thereafter.

Some theaters, however, were saved from the wrecking ball. In 1973 the Trinity Repertory Company moved into the Lederer theater. Mayor Vincent Cianci Jr. and the Providence Foundation saved the Loew's State in Providence from demolition in 1977. It reopened in 1978 as the Ocean State Performing Arts Center. The revitalization of the arts and entertainment district had begun.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 41° 49.423′ N, 71° 24.932′ W. Marker is

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in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in Downtown Providence. It is at the intersection of Fountain Street and Mathewson Street, on the right when traveling north on Fountain Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Providence RI 02906, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley

and on Narragansett Bay.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hurricane and Flood of September 21, 1938 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hurricane and Flood of September 21, 1938 (within shouting distance of this marker); Annye (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Garden of Journey (about 400 feet away); Providence Telephone Company (about 500 feet away); Carlos Davila (about 500 feet away); Styles (about 500 feet away); Kelly Goff (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Providence.

Opposite Side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan Simmons, June 2012

2. Opposite Side of marker

Back of Marker for Mathewson Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan Simmons, June 2012

3. Back of Marker for Mathewson Street

Close up of opposite side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan Simmons, June 2012

4. Close up of opposite side

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 852 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 16, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.