Rick is entirely correct , of course, about the boxes beneath the windows (portholes)., Each projector had such a control box containing a switch for transferring power from the photocell lamp on one projector to the other (along with some type of indicator light to show which soundhead was active), as well as a pot for regulating the sound level on each projector. The other half ot the changeover procedure involved stepping on a pedal attached to the base of the projector pedestal, which quickly closed the fire shuitter on one machine while simultaneously opening the fire shutter on the other machine. It was all in all a faily crude procedure, but very effective.

I left the theater projection business just before the advent of digial sound, platter systems, xenon lamps, and so forth.

There appears to be something printed on the glass in the doors. Do you happen to know what it was?

That woodwork is absolutely beautiful. It appears that much detail was put into the construction of this facility - a stately, powerful design. The design of these exit passages on each side of the stage is interesting. With the open, flat areas on top, it looks like it would be an ideal location for placing loudspeakers for a sound system.

This is a pretty good sized stage lighting switchboard/dimmerboard. The dimmers were most likely manufactured by the Superior Electric Co. (judging by the style of the handles) and equipped with a rack and pinion assembly coupled to the large handles extending through the front panel. It looks like there could be two or three rows of these dimmers. There also appear to be longer handles connected to shafts, to which dimmers can be coupled (by rotating each handle to one side) to couple them together in order to operate several dimmers at one time. There also appear to be breaker or fuse panels at the far edge of the board as well. A study of the labels on those breaker panels, as well as the labels above the dimmer handles, would provide interesting information as to what kinds of lighting equipment were in use here. I've spent a good deal of my life working with these things in Elementary, Junior High, High School, and College. It's a shame to leave these things behind, but at least they have not been mutilated or destroyed so that people can appreciate them for what they are , study them, and take photographs of them to share with others, as you have so graciously done.

One Question, dear Motts. Did you find any evidence of a counterweight system or sandbag (hemp) system for flying pipe battens containing curtains, lighting equipment, or scenery in this theater?

How many people would you guess this house could seat? It's an enormous auditorium!

My guess would be that the ramp, or runway, was installed for some special event(s) that took place here many years ago. Notice, also , that the apron of the stage (in front of the proscenium arch) has been significantly extended into the auditorium seating area - perhaps for the same reason. I guess only the ghosts of the building know for sure.

How wonderfully remarkable this is, to not only have a present photo of the room, but also a photo from many years ago for comparision (and from nearly the same angle as well!!

I have to say that Mr. Mott's photography goes FAR , FAR beyond merely "taking pictures". Everything he shoots is an artistic blend of light, color, contrast, composition, and evokes a great deal of feeling and emotion from his subjects. I guess that is the reason why this is one of my FAVORITE websites to frequently visit.

Thank you for providing us with many hours of pleasure, and thought -provoking viewing.

Hello Motts. Thank you so much for your photos (both old AND new) of this once thriving church. It's sad to see how things have changed, and deteriorated, over the decades. Your treatment of this subject was done VERY well and very SENSITIVELY. I hope surviving members of this once great church have the opportunity to see your work - I think they would greatly appreciate it, as do I.

This is a neat photo. There were (and probably still are) literally thousands of these dimmerboards, in various different configurations, installed in schools, churches, and theaters. They're darn near bulletproof. This photo revives lots of memories for me. Thanks for posting it!

This excellent photograph perfectly captures the dreariness of this place.

That "spiderweb"pattern on the wall and the single ray of light through the roof are really fascinating. Outstanding photography as usual!!

This photo, as all the others in "Opacity.Com" shows how remarkable a photographer Motts really is. His careful use of light, shade , color and subject is artistic.

This one of my favorite sites on the internet. I always look forward to seeing updates.

From spending years working in theaters, my best guess would be that this stage had a full height fly loft, perhaps as much as 50 - 60 feet in height, from which scenery and lighting equipment could be rigged and counterweighted to fly up and down. The stairway permits access to the "gridiron" above the stage (just below the roof) where the work of rigging was done. Pretty elaborate setup.

This looks like a fire sprinkler control system to me.