Purple Cat trolley to be transformed into ice cream parlor
Al Costantino, co-owner of the Purple Cat Restaurant in Chepachet, stands in front of the demolition of the old building which reveals two old trolley cars built in 1901 and moved to Chepachet in 1929. Costantino and co-owner Meshell Adamo plan to construct an ice cream parlor and a two-story antique barn on the site. Breeze photo by Charles Lawrence
From the Valley Breeze: GLOCESTER – Demolition of the outer layers of the Purple Cat diner has exposed two trolley cars that once housed the restaurant, and were covered decades ago to protect the circa 1907 dining cars from the weather.
According to the new owners of the proposed Purple Cat Antique and Refine Center, Al Costantino and Meshell Adamo, the trolley cars were manufactured by the Wason Company in Springfield, and ran from Woonsocket to a mill in the Pascoag and Harrisville area of Burrillville. When the mill closed down, it was moved to Chepachet at the Stafford Yard in 1929 and converted to a diner by Fred and Ida LaVoie.
Bullock Hotel ghost murals to soon reappear
Ghost murals along the side and back of the Bullock Hotel will soon be brought back to 70%, as part of the Deadwood Historic Ghost Mural Easement Program. Pioneer photo by Jaci Conrad Pearson
From the Black Hills Pioneer: DEADWOOD — Seth Bullock’s alleged ghost will soon be joined by another ghost of sorts in greeting Bullock Hotel guests, this one on the outer perimeter of the building, as March 7 the Deadwood City Commission approved entering 633 Main St., the Bullock Hotel, into the Historic Ghost Mural Easement Program and granted permission to hire an artist to reproduce the ghost mural at a cost not to exceed $16,371.
“The Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, in August, did a survey of ghost murals when we were beginning our ghost mural program,” said Deadwood Historic Preservation Officer Kevin Kuchenbecker. “… and then we have reached out to the ownership group as we target these. During the South Dakota State Historical Society Board of Trustees meeting, when I was giving the update for budget and year-end review to the board, one of their members did mention they would like to see that project completed before the signage was totally lost. So we reached out to the ownership group of the Bullock, explained the program, and they then applied for the program. So that particular one was targeted by our office and pleased that the ownership group is willing to participate in the program.”
Castro Theatre plans unveiled as LGBTQ construction group signs agreement to partner on work
The Castro Theatre’s planned renovations will be extensive, according to documents filed with the planning department. Photo: Scott Wazlowski
From the Bay Area Reporter: Proposed plans for the renovation of the Castro Theatre appear to be more extensive than originally implied by the historic movie palace’s new management.
Meanwhile, Another Planet Entertainment, the new management company, will partner with an LGBTQ industry association for construction and architecture as part of the renovation and restoration of the San Francisco movie palace.
APE announced in January that it will be in charge of programming at the theater, which will be expanded to include live music, comedy, and community events in addition to films.
10 roadside attractions in Ontario that you won’t want to miss
lochheadandrew via Instagram
From DH News: Ontario is home to some gorgeous natural wonders, hiking trails and even some interesting roadside attractions.
Why not use up that staycation tax credit by taking a road trip to one of Ontario’s weird and wonderful monuments? Whether you lean towards giant apples or toonies, or are fascinated by the unknown, there’s bound to be an attraction for you.
Get your maps ready, because we’ve rounded up some of Ontario’s obscure, and amazing, roadside attractions!
Site of historic Waco area theatre finds new life with fire department
From KWTX: WACO, Texas – Many Wacoans remember the 25th Street Theatre, and while it closed down decades ago, a new building is taking its place, and it’s one meant to serve the community.
On Wednesday, the city of Waco officially opened the new Fire Station 6 and the fire administration building, which houses the community room. The administration building’s design has nods to the theatre’s architecture and includes the classic neon sign and marquee.
The fire station, which replaces the old station on Bosque Boulevard, has been open for about a week. Chief Gregory Summers said the station has new technology, which means they are able to get to fires faster.
When they peeled off the old metal siding, they found a long-forgotten grocery store
Recent renovation reveal old hand painted signs advertising the old grocery that used to be there, at a rental property on Valence street in New Orleans. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
From NOLA.com: In a way, it was like finding buried treasure.
Jake Hossfeld hired a contractor to remove the damaged metal siding from the rental property he owned on Valance Street. As the siding clattered into the dumpster, antique hand-painted signs were exposed on the wooden clapboards beneath.
Hossfeld’s camelback shotgun three-plex had once been the home of the V. Tortorich corner grocery store, the neighborhood source for Stein’O root beer and “100 Percent Good” Luzianne Coffee. It was an “Economy Store” that provided free delivery. The phone number was UP.9176. Heaven only knew how long the green, yellow and red signs had been covered up, waiting to be rediscovered.