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Cobalt, Ontario, CanadaCobalt, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Google Maps
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Continuing north and turning east off of the highway we find the municipality of Colbalt. Cobalt has been labeled "The Cradle of Canadian mining" since its incredible silver boom of the early 20th century.3
Municipality of CobaltCobalt, Ontario, Canada
Credits:The Municipality of Cobalt
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Popular legend has it that late one summer evening a pesky fox was sniffing around the camp site of one Fred La Rose. Fred was in the area working as a blacksmith for the Ontario Government on the railway lines. In the summer of 1903 they were still 103 miles from North Bay and deep into the wilds of Northern Ontario. Fred had enough of the fox and decided to try and scare it away. He threw his hammer at it, and missed. In the morning he went looking for his hammer and found it laying next to a rock face, a rock face with a nice new chip in it. Fred La Rose had inadvertantly discovered the first silver vein in the Cobalt area.For the next half century the mines would produce over 460,000,000 ounces of silver, creating Canada's first mining boom. Cobalt became a very prosperous town, boasting two hockey teams, extensive street car lines and several theaters. The Classic Theatre, founded during the silver boom, is still in existence today.
For more information please visit:
www.cobalt.ca
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Interviews with the Classic Theatre staff and volunteers.2010
Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
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Classic Theatre, photo courtesy of www.archives.gov.on.caCobalt, Ontario, Canada
Credits:www.archives.gov.on.ca
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CLASSIC THEATREThe Classic Theatre opened its doors in 1926. It was a combination vaudeville and moving picture theatre and was a focal point for entertainment. As the years went by, and most other live entertainment venues closed down, the Classic Theatre became the most popular movie house in the area. Endearing itself to the hearts and minds of local residents, the Classic Theatre is filled with decades of memories of popcorn and ten cent films. In 1938 it was licensed for motion pictures only and remained open to the public until 1973.
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Classic Theatre (interior), photo courtesy of www.archives.gov.on.caCobalt, Ontario, Canada
Credits:www.archives.gov.on.ca
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For the next 20 years the space was used for storage and not much else. In the fall of 1993, the Town of Cobalt, as part of their economic revitalization plan and in cooperation with the Provincial and Federal Governments, initiated a complete reconstruction of the theatre. With a vision of giving the Temiskaming Region a beautiful, modern and fully equipped artistic venue, the revitalization project was underway. Over the following six months, this dream was realized and surpassed. On June 4, 1994, the Classic Theatre held its gala opening, and the old theatre once again was echoing with the sound of applause.10
The Classic TheatreCobalt, Ontario, Canada
Credits:The Classic Theatre
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The theatre has a seating capacity of 260 and incredibly hosts over 70 events each year, including theatre, music, comedy, dance and variety shows. The Classic Theatre not only entertains; it also teaches. The Deep Water Theatre School is a summer arts program for youth in Grades 1 through 12 who want to learn more about drama, music, movement and other aspects of theatre production including set design and lighting.12
photo courtesy of Deep Water Theatre School, 20092009
Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Deep Water Theatre School
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Founded in 1998, and running every summer since, Deep Water Theatre School has presented several full-length productions. In addition to theatrical work, the members of Deep Water Theatre School engage in games and sports activities which help to encourage confidence building and develop leadership skills.14
The Classic TheatreCobalt, Ontario, Canada
Credits:www.classictheatre.net
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