New Granada Theater
History and architectural features
This Art Deco theater was designed by architect Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger, and originally was a Pythian Temple, a meeting place for the Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia (a fraternal order and secret society). This structure served as the lodge for a group of African American construction workers known as the Knights of the Pythian.
During the 1930s, the building was sold to Harry Hendel, who moved two blocks from his old Granada Theater to this New Granada Theater. The building was remodeled in 1937 and 1938 by Alfred M. Marks, and it then became a movie theater, as well as a place for live entertainment, music and dancing. Jazz legends Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Cab Calloway performed here.
It was added to the List of City of Pittsburgh historic designations on October 8, 2004, the List of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks in 2007, and the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 2010.
References
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Archived from the original on 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
- ^ "Local Historic Designations". Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ^ Historic Landmark Plaques 1968-2009 (PDF). Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ Fuoco, Michael (April 12, 1999). "'New Granada' isn't so new anymore, but plans will help restore luster". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
External links
- Pittsburgh Music History -Profile of the Pythian Temple /New Granada Theater Archived 2013-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-6728, "Pythian Temple, 2007-2013 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA", 2 photos, 3 data pages, 1 photo caption page