Henry Spann Explained

Henry L. Spann (February 13, 1879 – October 3, 1946)^{[1] [2]} was a church and theater architect in Buffalo, New York.^[3] He is credited with designing about a dozen of the city's theaters as well as ones in surrounding areas including Niagara, New York.^[4] He built theaters for various owners.^[5] He worked with his much younger brother William T. Spann who was also an architect.^[6] Spann also designed buildings for Catholic institutions in the area.

Spann's theater designs for Michael Shea incorporated commercial space.^[7]

The North Park Theatre he designed remains in existence and efforts were underway to preserve the Sattler Theater on Broadway.^[8] Shea's Seneca commercial building section remains and was being proposed for National Register of Historic Places consideration in 2018.^[9]

Work

• Sattler Theater (1914) for retail tycoon John G. Sattler 512 - 516 Broadway in Buffalo^[10] It became the Broadway Theater had a pipe organ installed and eventually served as a mosque and church. It is terra cotta clad.^[11]
• Savoy Theater on William Street in Buffalo, former home to the Buffalo Criterion newspaper^[12]
• North Park Theatre on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo^[12] (open)
• Abott Theatre in Buffalo (closed)
• Bailey Theatre in Buffalo (closed)
• Broadway Theatre in Buffalo (closed)
• Genesee Theatre in Buffalo (closed)
• Maxine Theater in Buffalo (closed)
• Olympic Theater in Buffalo (closed)
• Roxy Theatre in Buffalo (closed)
• Shea's Kensington Theater in Buffalo (closed)
• Shea's Niagara Theater in Buffalo (closed)
• Shea's Roosevelt Theater in Buffalo (closed)
• Shea's Seneca on Seneca and Cazenovia streets in downtown South Buffalo^[13] Has been adapted to various uses over the years.^[14]
• Strand Theatre in Niagara Falls, New York (closed)
• Theater in Batavia, New York^[15]
• South Park Theater (1919) in Buffalo
• Majestic Theater (1910) at William and Sherman St
• Mother of Mercy Hospital 1922 brick, stone, and steel^[16] and a power house for the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity^[17]
• St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church school in Dunkirk, New York^[18]
• House in Parkside^[19]

Further reading

• Web site: The architectural achievements and architectural perspective renderings of Henry L. Spann and William T. Spann, registered architects.. bepl.ent.sirsi.net. 1909.
• Book: Hill . Henry Wayland . Municipality of Buffalo, New York: A History, 1720-1923, Vol. 4 . 1923 . Lewis Historical Publishing Company . New York & Chicago .

Notes and References

1. News: Architect Spann Dies in Florida . 5 August 2022 . Buffalo Evening News . October 4, 1946.
2. Book: Hill . Henry Wayland . Municipality of Buffalo, New York: A History, 1720-1923, Vol. 4 . 1923 . Lewis Historical Publishing Company . New York & Chicago . 377 .
3. Web site: Buffalo Theaters. buffaloah.com.
4. Web site: Movie Theaters Designed by Henry L. Spann - Cinema Treasures. cinematreasures.org.
5. Web site: The American Contractor. 13 October 2018. F. W. Dodge Corporation. Google Books.
6. Web site: BYP Uses Fundraiser Money to Secure Historic East Side Theater. 2013-02-18.
7. Web site: Shea's Impact on Buffalo – Buffalo Rising. www.buffalorising.com.
8. Web site: Non-Profit Completes Sattler Theater Purchase. 2008-08-21.
9. Web site: Shea's Seneca Theater — Preservation-Ready Sites Buffalo.
10. Web site: Cinematic gems.
11. Web site: The Broadway (aka Sattler) Theater, Buffalo, NY. 10 November 2015.
12. Web site: Forgotten Buffalo featuring the Sattler / Broadway Theater. www.forgottenbuffalo.com.
13. Web site: Looking Backward: Seneca & Cazenovia, December 22, 1945. 21 December 2016.
14. Web site: Preservation Ready/Shea's Seneca.
15. Web site: Motion Picture Daily: Formerly Exhibitors Daily Review and Motion Pictures Today. 13 October 2018. Exhibitors Trade Review, Incorporated. Google Books.
16. Web site: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide. 13 October 2018. C.W. Sweet & Company. Google Books.
17. Web site: The Bridgemen's Magazine. 13 October 2018. International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers. Google Books.
18. Web site: Engineering Record. 13 October 2018. McGraw Publishing Company. Google Books.
19. Web site: Staying Put in Parkside. 22 September 2014.