A 1958 newspaper photograph showing the collapse of the roof and a large section of wall of the Tower Theatre, corner of Sixth Avenue and Grand Avenue, Tower City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The title of the photo was “Collapsed Roof of Tower Theatre While Snow Was Still Falling,” and the following description of the event was provided:
Weight of eighteen inches of wet snow caused the collapse of the roof of the Tower Theatre building, Grand Avenue and Sixth Street, early Friday morning of last week. A sixty foot section of the east wall fell into Sixth Street, blocking the street for traffic, while the west wall bulged precariously and is still in danger of falling upon the Moose building adjoining.
The building, formerly owned by Miss Doris Refowich, of Pottsville, is now owned by her brother-in-law, Abe Cramer. Mr. Cramer is reported to be ill in a Philadelphia hospital. Thus far no effort has been made to clean up the debris, which is still closed to traffic.
____________________________________________
The Pottsville Republican, March 21, 1958, also provided information on the collapse as part of article titled “Storm Cuts Power to 3000; Collapses Roof of Theatre:”
THEATRE DAMAGE HEAVY
The old Tower Theatre in Tower City was heavily damaged early Friday morning when weight of snow caused the roof to collapse.
The theatre is owned by Doris Refowich, 1322 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, and Abe Cramer, 123 S. Centre Street, Pottsville.
The building, a two-story frame building, located on east Grand Avenue, was extensively damaged as 50 feet of the middle section of the building collapsed under the weight of snow on the roof, throwing debris onto Sixth Street on the east side of the building.
The west wall was buckled and is expected to fall at any time.
Tower City police have barricaded the area until the damaged walls can be torn down.
Residents of the area were awakened at 2 a. m. by the thunderous roar caused by the timbers cracking and falling into the street.
__________________________________________
The photo and brief article appeared in the West Schuylkill Herald, March 28, 1958. The photo was provided by the Pottsville Republican. News articles from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.