A hush fell over the crowd on December 14, 1925, as the Old Fabian Theater in Paterson, New Jersey, first opened its doors. The silent film “We Moderns” flickered to life, accompanied by the grandeur of the Fabian Grand Orchestra. Imagine the magnificent two-ton chandelier, illuminating the ornate Sullivanesque architecture designed by Fred Wesley Wentworth. This wasn’t just a movie theater. The Old Fabian Theater was an experience, complete with tile floors, intricate murals, and even Turkish baths in the basement. Jacob Fabian, a visionary who had introduced Passaic County’s first movie theater in 1914, spared no expense. He envisioned a palace for the people, a place where they could escape the ordinary. The Old Fabian Theater became a beloved local landmark, hosting premieres for Paterson native Lou Costello’s films like “One Night in the Tropics,” “Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion,” and “Jack and the Beanstalk.” The theater’s history wasn’t without its challenges. In 1948, Reverend Charles Tarter bravely challenged segregation, repeatedly taking a seat in the main lobby despite the theater’s discriminatory policy. The Old Fabian Theater adapted to changing times, undergoing renovations in 1962 that included modernization and a reduction in seating capacity. It even transitioned into a triplex in the late 1970s, with additional screens added in the 1980s. Sadly, the final curtain fell in 1993. Despite plans for redevelopment, the Old Fabian Theater remains vacant. Its grand spaces now echo with the memories of laughter, drama, and a community’s shared experiences.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to