Loew's Theater on Main Street in North Adams, Mass

The neon is still intact and at night, it's an appealing cultural symbol - a kind of "night light" for the downtown.

So where's Betty Grable? Wait,..when did this cinema open? Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton,....Clara Bow? It opened in 1938. What you can't see here is diagonally opposite was the Paramount Theater; demolished in the 1960's along with the other side of Main Street.

Local author Joe Manning has chronicled North Adams history in a wonderful compendium. He interviews Sprague Electric's former employees and delves deep into the heart of North Adams urban history.

True reporting would warrant a trip to the local tavern where all the old timers sip their bourbon. Ok, I get the message; find the story - find the old barroom and have a nice long conversation with the local oracles.