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Framingham loses long-time chronicler
By adamg on Wed, 12/28/2016 - 9:41am
The MetroWest Daily News reports the death of Virginia Lucier, longtime arts-and-entertainment reporter for the News.
It might be hard to imagine today, but Framingham used to be something of an entertainment mecca - performers would often do shows at the old Chateau de Ville rather than in town - and Lucier was there to interview them all over a 50-year career.
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Comments
Another famous Framingham venue
was The Meadows on Route 9 (across from Bertucci's). The supper/night club was big in the 1940s & early 1950s made popular by Vaughn Monroe who broadcasted his live, national, weekly, radio show "Camel (cigarette) Caravan" starting in 1946. That era came to an end in the mid-1950s.
In the 1970's it became "Beefsteak Charlie's." The building burned to the ground in December of 1980. At one time was the site of "Bennigan's Restaurant" and later became "The Meadows Office Building."
Apparently it was the place to go for live entertainment outside of Boston.
Oh, so that's why they called that building the Meadows!
I spent a few years working for a trade publication in there. But it was a separate building from the Bennigan's (not to be confused with the Houlihan's on the other side of Rte. 9).
Also let's not forget Ken's, which was to Framingham what Anthony's Pier 4 was to the waterfront (Ken's son later opened Timothy's Too up near the Southborough line, which was notable mainly for its Jello wrestling).
So that's where the salad
So that's where the salad dressing came from!
Still another
was the Monticello, up on the hill near the Chateau de Ville, and predating it.
Many big stars appeared there.
There was also the summer tent theater, the Carousel, near Rt. 30, where there were shows and performers much like the still operating North and South Shore venues.
Thanks for the reminder about the Meadows. I had forgotten about that.
Oh, yeah!
When Jimi Hendrix played Framingham.
pic of chateau de ville in framingham
can anyone post a pic if in their possesion of chateau de ville. I had a prom dinner in 1971. I'm trying to get a pic of it 'cause I don't remember it what the place looked like. I do remember the dinner. thanks
A Google search
This will bring up some Chateau photos, including one that shows the outside looking basically the same after it became a furniture store (except for the giant chair, that is). Will also bring up some other old Rte. 9 stuff.