From the form
The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the or by entering the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all 1. Name of Property historic name Fairborn Theatre other names/site number Fairborn Twin Cinemas; Fairborn Performing Arts Center 2. Location street & number_34 S. Broad Street - not for publication - vicinity state. Ohio code _ county. 3.
State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this X nomination D request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property X meets - does not meet the National Register Criteria.I recommend that this property be considered significant D Department Head Signature of certifying official Ohio Historic Preservation Office, Ohio Historical Society State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets [I does not meet the National Register criteria. ( -] See continuation sheet for additional Signature of commenting or other official 4.
Natjonal Park Service Certification I hereby certify that this property is: entered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the removed from the National Register other (explain) 45324 comments.) items. Date National Register Greene 057 RECEIVEO JUN 1 4 2005 NAT. REGISTER C. NATIONAL PAI National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box city or town. functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place 755 Fairborn nationally statewide X locally. ( See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Name of Property County and State 5.
Classification Number of Resources within Property (Check as many boxes as apply) * building(s) - district - public-State - site - public-Federal - structure - object Name of related multiple property listing Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 6. Function or Use Historic Functions Current Functions RECREATION AND CULTURE/Theater VACANT/NOT IN USE MODERN MOVEMENT/Art Moderne Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Total other Concrete Foundation roof walls Brick Materials Asphalt Noncontributing 7.
Description Architectural Classification Fairborn Theatre Greene County, Ohio (Enter categories from instructions) (Do not include previously listed resources in the count) Ownership of Property X private -public-local Greene County, Ohio Name of Property NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET The Fairborn Theatre located at 34 S. Broad St. (Rte 444) in Fairborn, Ohio was constructed in 1948 in a commercial version of the Art Moderne style. Roadside motels and businesses along Rte. 444 such as the Command Motel and the Falcon Motel characterize this busy commercial corridor that is largely made up of roadside architecture from the 1940s-1960s.
The Fairborn Theatre is located over ½ a mile from downtown Fairborn and less than ½ mile east of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The two story theater exhibits characteristics of the Art Moderne style, with an undulating wall treatment, use of decorative metal, large marquee and sign tower. The interior spaces contain decorative elements of the Art Moderne style with a circular, formal lobby and curved and recessed ceiling motifs in the foyers and lobby. The theater is located among a mix of commercial uses on Rte. 444 and a residential neighborhood is present at the rear of the building. The theater is presently vacant and has experienced some decay. The Fairborn Theatre is constructed with a steel frame and the walls consist of yellow bricks. The bricks are common bond in both the front and rear portions of the building. The theater sits on a concrete foundation.
Landscaping is minimal around the theater and no other buildings or structures are located on the property. The facade of the theater is defined by the marquee that extends over the front entry and serves as an awning. (Photo 1) The underside of the marquee is lighted with small, bare bulbs. (Photo 2) Light bulbs are also presented on the front of the marquee, outlining the rectangular signs on each side. The middle of the band of corrugated decorative metal is located on top of the door frames and ticket booth, thus presenting a streamlined appearance to the entrance. (Photo 4) The original ticket booth under the marquee remains and is defined by a rounded glass window and a terrazzo base. Flanking the ticket booth are two original showcase windows that feature inverted glass.
(Photo 5) Fluted terrazzo is located on both sides of each of the showcase windows and also serves as a decorative element on the front of the ticket booth. Also defining the characterized by sharp and flat lines on the north elevation and is rounded on the south side of the building. The tower contains one electric sign on the north elevation that features the word "Fairborn' vertically (Photo 7). A curved roofline extends across the front of the primary elevation and features a large undulating wall with cement blocks. The south elevation contains four openings on the first floor and three on the second floor, and lacks any significant architectural details. The asphalt roof on the front portion of the building is flat and the rear of the building features a curved barrel shaped roof, also asphalt.
(Photo 8) A rectangular shaped asphalt parking lot parking.' (Photo 9) The rear elevation has two double doors on either end (Photo 10). A grassy lot is present at the rear of the building. The north elevation contains three second story glass block windows and two first floor openings. (Photo 11) The northwest portion of the north elevation features a decorative vertical wall that consists of terrazzo with a narrow vertical glass block window. A small curved yellow Fairborn Theatre County and State marquee is defined by an image that resembles the comedy and tragedy masks.The masks alternate with change of the lights.(Photo3) The front entry has four sets of double glass doors framed with aluminum.A is located to the south of the theater.A small neon sign in the shape of an arrow advertises'free theatre facade is a large sign tower (Photo 6).
The tower extends another story above the building and is Greene County, Ohio NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET brick wall with a door links the marquee side and the terrazzo wall. (Photo 11) The exterior elevations of the Inside the theater, Art Moderne design elements dominate the foyer and lobby areas. In the lobby, a the lobby is covered with white and red formica and is not original. (Photo 15) Four double doors made of wood in the lobby lead into a second foyer that features two mosaic tile drinking fountains that flank the cinema entrances. (Photo 16) In the center of the cinema entrances is a large mural depicting WWII era airplanes flying above a pastoral scene. A soldier and WAC (Women's Army Corps) are present in the foreground of the painting.
The mural is set into the wall with a bench in front. Four spotlights emphasize the mural and the hardware for a curtain over the mural exists behind a scalloped wooden border. (Photo 17) The ladies powder room is present on the north side of the second foyer with a rounded waiting area that features Formica countertops and a curved and lighted mirror area. (Photo 18) A men's restroom is present on the south side of the second foyer. Both restrooms feature braided black and white tile. (Photo 19) The auditorium was divided into two cinemas in 1973 by the placement of a large wall in the center of the auditorium. No changes occurred to the second foyer due to this division. Also, the rounded ceiling remained intact. (Photo 20) The auditoriums feature modern screens and the original walls are covered with heavy cinemas gently slope downward toward the screens.
Stairs are present in the front foyer and lead to a room with lockers and an employee restroom.(Photo 22) Also present upstairs is the projection room, characterized by small windows (Photo 23) and a boiler room that is located on the south side of the building (Photo 24). The exterior and interior of the theater are largely intact. They retain many of the original details and materials of construction. The area that has experienced the most change is the auditorium, with the addition of a center wall to create two cinemas (c. and wall plaster damage. Some leakage from the roof is also evident. Fairborn Theatre building appear tobe in good condition.
County and State 1973).The concession stand represents another change.Several interior locations have experienced ceiling decorative band encircles the rounded lobby (Photo 13).The concession stand located on the south wall of Name of Property fabric that is not original. (Photo 2i) Behind the two movie screens is a stage area.The seating areas in both large three tiered and rounded recessed ceiling is accented by an ornate chandelier.(Photo 12) A wide Greene County, Ohio Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance