Nomination for Victory Theater Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Congressional District: 3 Charles W. Whalen, Jr. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR - State X County Mon tgomer y INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) JUN 2 2 1972 In Process Object ] Preservation work Comments OWNER'S NAME: LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: - Federal - Local DATE OF SURVEY: 039 113 NAME LOCATION Dayton Site Military Commercial Structure CLASSIFICATION Both Private Entertainment Government Agricultural DATE ACCESSIBLE Restricted District Educational Unoccupied Being Considered June Museum Private Residence OWNERSHIP Industrial CATEGORY Scientific Park Public CODE Yes: Building Ohio COMMON: STATUS County of Montgomery Recorder's Office REGIST Public Acquisition: 225 North Main St.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC ENTRY NUMBER Religious Form 10-300 Victory Theater Building STREET AND NUMBER: DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: 15 North Main St. NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Schwind Realty Co. CITY OR TOWN: OWNER OF PROPERTY (Check One) NATIONA FOR NPS USE ONLY (July 1969) PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Montgomery County Historical Society DESCRIPTION - Fair - Deteriorated - Unexposed - Unaltered - Moved X Original Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

ed windows, and metal ornamentation. Ty damaged by fire in 1869 and all except the front was completely recon- 1y obliterated but is still in place behind the signs and newer marquee. The interior of the auditorium itself is Victorian in tone, with the murals for the presentation of opera and drama, and the acoustics are likewise fa- studios of the Schwarz School of Dance. REGIS CONDITION renovation. Ruins built.

NATIONA Only the front facade remains of the original structure.It was extensive- built in the Victorian style with mansard roof, turrets on the front, arch- fire in 1917.Each time the auditorium portion of the structure was re- and gilt trim of the period.Its stage is regarded as of ideal proportions vorably-appraised.The furnishings and the f1ies are usable but in need of floor.On the upper floors are office space and on the third floor, the The balance of the bui1ding houses commercial establishmentson the first structed in 1871.It was damaged again by floods in1913 and bya second (Check One) X Excellent The original building was constructed of soft brick and limestone.

It was The building, in its exterior ornamentation a combination of the Victorian Italianate and,at least at roof level, the Second Empire styles, displays dormers.The cornice brackets and quoin trim are metal.The mansard bases

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE - Pre-Columbian! X 19th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1866, 1871, 1918 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) - Prehistoric - Agriculture - Commerce X Music STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

Itwas in 1861 that the Turner brothers, William M. and Joseph M., success- iness for himself since 1854. He was, at the time the Turners hired him, 39 years old. The opera house was to be large and elegant. Fronting 100 feet on Main Street and 125 feet on First, it was to be of mid-Victorian soft brick and $225,000 building was ready for the grand opening January 1, 1866. General admission opening night was $1, reserved seats $2 and pro- wrote, "Citizens testified their appreciation of the public spirit of the gent lemen who lavished a quarter of a million dollars in that splendid ac- complishment of architecture.' the opera house front in the faint moonlight," he concluded his descrip- tion of the fire, "was classically beautiful.. It was like the remains of an ancient temple, the repository of sad history of departed glory.

No- front, supported by broken buttresses inside, that seem to loiter only The fine arches and orioles (sic) on the West are studies for an artist, and two tall turrets standing solitary on the comb crown the pic- Architecture Conservation Engineering losophy Science Theater Communications Transportation Military Education Aboriginal Literature Sculpture Political Invention Social/Human- Industry Religion/Phi.

Landscape opposite and contemplate the arched window in the corner for a rare pic- 1imestone construction with mansard windows, turrets on the thing is left of all those harmonious graces that were thrmes for every time destroyed the opera house as well as a number of surrounding stores To build it they engaged John Rouzer, an experienced contractor who had 1over of Dayton,but masses of brick and mortar, and the elegant stone But on the night of May 16,1869,the greatest fire in Dayton up to that stone' PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) Other (Spec scenium seats $10 and The reporter for the Dayton Daily Jounal Journal reporter began the account of the fire indicating, perhaps, the itarian Art site temple of the muses and the drama but broken brick and scattered Enthusiastic patrons termed the theater the finest one west of Philadel- ful West Carrollton brewers, decided to build an opera house in Dayton.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Illustrated History of the Dayton Fire Department, 1900. Dayton Journal Herald. August 17, 1954; September 7, 1954; June 10, 1964; August 27, 1966; Jan. 9, 1968; August 5, 1971. 0. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINA TES DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES FORM PREPARED BY Charles T. Alexander, Editor and Publisher November 4, 1971 37 S. Ludlow St. 12. STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

The recommended GP 0 901.087 039 National Dayton Local ORGANIZATION LATITUDE DATE LONGITUDE COUNTY STATE EGIST Name ATTEST: CORNER CODE Ohio Title Degrees Minutes Seconds National Register. NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION level of significance of this nomination is: The Dayton Journal Herald I hereby certify that this property is included in the As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- STREET AND NUMBER: CITY OR TOWN: NAME AND TITLE: APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OFNG -285 acre (city lot) LIST ALL STATES AND COUN Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Degrees Seconds Minutes Form 10-300a NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER JUN 2 2 1972 8. Victory Theater Building E. Mead and his brother, Charles D. Mead, incorporated as the Music Hall Co. The theater was rebuilt, keeping the front facade. It reopened in 187l.

1885 the name of the theater was changed to Grand Opera House although the by 1896 when the city observed its 100th anniversary. A great part of that celebration was a pageant whichplayed at the Opera House for four nights. Harry Feicht was still director at the end of the 19th century when the name Theater in 1901. during the 1913 flood. As the water rose under the floor, the wooden planks the auditorium section of the building was destroyed. When the building re- began at that time a long tenure as manager for the Schwind Realty Co., own- During the years the Victory operated as a legitimate theater, many great est role, Peter Pan, to the stage in 1907 and again in 1912 and appeared wi th Otis Skinner in "Merchant of Venice' as late as 1932.

George Arliss also ap- "Blithe Spirit," Katharine Hepburn in "The Philadelphia Story," Ethel Barry- more in "The School for Scandal," Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in "There William A. Keyes, Sr., as chairman of the board of Schwind Realty Co, opera- ted the theater from the reopening after the 1917 fire until his death in flood. After his death, his sons, Robert and Jack Keyes, continued the fam- played on August 5, 1971. Montgomery ers. COUNTY STATE DATE Ohio of the theater was changed to Victoria.Opera House and shortened to Victoria (Number all entries) Larry Reist became the business manager in 1883,succeeding Charles Mead.By brought about the decision to close the 105-year old theater.The 1ast show stage sets in the balcony.

The insurance covered only part of the fire loss and the Turners were unable of talking pictures brought the end of the Victory as strictly a legitimate (July 1969) When the water receded, the workmen found the G.C. Miller is listed as manager at the time of the second fire in 1917 when opened a year later, the name was changed to Victory Theater; Elmer Redelle actors appeared on its stage . Maude Adams appeared in "The Little Minister" Rather Be Right, " Gertrude Lawrence in "Skylark," Walter Hampden in "Cyrano de theater in 1930, although even after it became a movie house, it was still used on occasion for special productions. 1955.

He had been an associate in the operation, however, since the 1913 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENZOF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORICPLACES i1y interest.Under their managership, the theater was remodeled and spruced Along with the rest of downtown Dayton, the building suffered severe damage common Music Hal1 hung on for some time.Harry Feicht had become manager She brought her great- STATE OHIO REGISTER: JUN 2 2 1972 ASST. KEEPER DIRECTOR, OAHP EDITORIAL PROCESSING, EDITOR 2 6 JUN 1972 WORKING NUMBER 5, 3/. 72. 812 PHOTO LOGGED REVIEW ARCHEOLOGIST MAP NUMBER COMMENTS: YES ACKNOWLEDGE RESUBMIT WRITER/EDITOR Federal Registry Entry DATE OF RECEIPT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Annual Edition Entry DATA PAGE MAP DESCRIPTION (S) 72001037 6-4:72 TECH PROPERTY VICTORY THEATER B2DG HISTORIAN PHOTO DESCRIPTION (S) 1972 /5/72 Card montgome 8-1-72 charm school-2228 now!

here 18 1971 DAYTON, OHIO JOURNAL HERALD PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER BILL GARLOW Loc. NPS Number WOMEN FOR ME ONE HOUR DRY CLEANING MEOLITE SOLES & HEELS FLOR HEIM 0CT 18 1971 NPS Number JOURNAL HERALD DAYTON, OHIO BILL GARLOW 6-22-72 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (July 1969) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Mont gomer y FOR NPS USE ONLY JUN 2 2 1972 STREET AND NUM BER: U.S.G.S. 7½', Dayton North, Ohio Quadrangle 11- 2000T TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. 1965 039 113 Dayton COUNTY DATE COMMON: CODE STATE SCALE: SOURCE: Form 10-301 PROPERTY MAP FORM Ohio NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AND/OR HISTORIC: ENTRY NUMBER 138 North Main St.

(Type all entries-attach to or enclose with map) CITY OR TOWN: IREMENTS Victory Theater Building (Turner's) Opera House HESI DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ( UNITED STATES DAYTON NORTH QUADRANGLE DAYTON NORTH, OHIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ROAD CLASSIFICATION NATION 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) REGIS Interstate 7l and 17th Avenue the ohio historical society/ohio historical center/columbus, ohio 432ll/telephone (614) 469-4663 Dr. William J. Murtagh, Keeper 1100 L Street, N.W., Rm. 3209 Washington, D.C. 20005 application form for the Victory Theater Building, Dayton, Ohio, as Site Preservation Advisory Board meeting, Friday, May 19, 1972. Reason for the emergency is that the owner of subject building plans to demolish it but his announced plans have aroused opposition from Daniel R. Porter Enc - DRP/eg Sincerely, Director NATIONA REGIST the building.

This is to certify this application was approved by the Ohio Historic National Register an EMERGENCY. Dear Bill: Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation I am transmitting herewith one National Register of Historic Places MAY 31 1972 the community. Consequently, the owner has agreed to postpone demoli- he will endeavor to alter his plans and find an appropriate use for tion pending registration of the structure.If this is accomplished, RECEIVED Mr. Daniel R. Porter Hon. Charles W. Whalen, Jx. Columbus, Ohio 43211 NRowland :mm Location 6/20/72 Name Director STATE Also Notified Director, Northeast Region Dayton The Ohio Historical Society ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER State Liaison officer Victory Theater Building Hon. William B. Saxbe Montgomery County JUN 22 1972 Date Entered Hlon. Robert Taft,Jr.