Lorain Palace Theatre
Lorain Palace Theatre | |
| File:LorainPalace.jpg The main stage and curtain at the Lorain Palace Theatre | |
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| Location | 617 Broadway Ave, Lorain, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Area | Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Gothic, Italian Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002109[1] |
| Added to NRHP | 1978 |
In the town of Lorain, located just west of nearby Cleveland, Ohio the 1,720 seat[2] Lorain Palace Theatre first opened its doors in 1928, it was the first motion picture theater in Ohio to show a talking motion picture.[3] The opening night film, and first talky played in ohio was a pre-release of Paramount’s "Something Always Happens" starring Neil Hamilton and Esther Ralston. Today it serves as a community Civic Center, movie theatre, meeting place and entertainment facility.[4]The crystal chandelier, Wurlitzer pipe organ (one of only four remaining in theaters across Ohio), and two spacious loges are just some of the features which made this building worthy of being preserved.[5]
History
The theatre was built as part of an initiative to rebuild downtown Lorain, following a devastating tornado destroyed most of the 44,000 inhabitant town's urban center. It still has its original Wurlitzer theatre organ and was popular well into the 60s.[6] Popularity of the theatre diminished following the construction of the nearby mall in the mid-1960s. Several other theatres and shops in the area closed their doors at this time.
Rennovation
Restoration of the theatre began in 1977 and so far the non-profit organization operating the location has raised an excess of $6mil towards the cost of its restoration and renovation. Twenty-five thousand dollars was tendered as a down payment toward the purchase of the $100,000 building. A capital funds campaign was launched and in May of 1977 the Palace Theater building was purchased and a grand opening was held. The Palace had been using the same carbon arc projectors since 1935. The light on the screen was created when 80 amps of electricity jumped between two large pencil-sized carbon rods. The carbon arc generated enough illumination to project the movie onto the screen 180 feet away. Recently the theatre moved those projectors into the lobby and installed a new theatre system including a new platter projector, a digital projector, and a 16 speaker theatre surround sound system.[7]
In 2008 a plan was made to connect the Lorain Palace Theatre with the adjacent Eagles Building via a glass arcade. The project would partly be funded by a $200,000 grant[8] from the city of Lorain, most of which would be required to purchase the Eagles Building while the rest would go to construction costs. However, an additional $7.5 million would be needed to complete the project, which includes renovating the interior and exterior of the 37,000-square-foot Eagles building, as well as a section of the theater and the construction of the arcade.[9]
Lorain Palace Today
References
- ^ http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/oh/Lorain/state2.html.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://www.lorainpalace.com/content.aspx?PID=147
- ^ http://www.lorainpalace.com/content.aspx?PID=146
- ^ http://fox8.cityvoter.com/lorain-palace-theatre/biz/142163
- ^ http://www.lhat.org/conference_theatre/2009/tours.asp#5
- ^ http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1042/
- ^ http://www.lorainpalace.com/content.aspx?PID=146
- ^ http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=123_SB_346
- ^ http://www.chroniclet.com/2008/07/23/grant-a-wish-come-true-for-arts_122/
External links
See also
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