Nomination for Palace Theatre Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OFTHE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM MAR 3 0 1978 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES - COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS AND/OR COMMON STREET & NUMBER _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY. TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 13- Donald Pease - - VICINITY OF PRESENT USE DISTRICT PUBLIC XPRIVATE-non-profit -WORK IN PROGRESS -PRIVATE RESIDENCE SITE IN PROCESS XYES: RESTRICTED -BEING CONSIDERED - YES: UNRESTRICTED INDUSTRIAL MILITARY OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME The Civic Center Committee, Inc.

LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC.Lorain County Courthouse Ohio 44035 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS 44052 039 093 LOCATION Lorain Elyria AGRICULTURE EDUCATIONAL DATE BOTH OBJECT TITLE ACCESSIBLE CODE STATE The HISTORIC PARK CATEGORY OWNERSHIP COMMERCIAL COUNTY CLASSIFICATION STRUCTURE Ohio NAME PH0358169 STATUS XENTERTAINMENT _TRANSPORTATION Palace Theatre Building COURTHOUSE. PUBLIC ACQUISITION Broadway and 6th Street 319 Broadway XBUILDING(S) - UNOCCUPIED _MUSEUM - GOVERNMENT 2nd Street -SCIENTIFIC DATA SHEET - RELIGIOUS (Rev. 10-74) RECEIVED DEC 2 0 1977 DESCRIPTION DETERIORATED X.UNALTERED _MOVED DATE. UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Palace Theatre Building is a rectangular, reinforced concrete structure. Its classically inspired facade of terra cotta with cut stone details along the parapet and corners, con- CONDITION cessed theatre entrance. RUINS EXCELLENT FAIR XGOOD constantly aware that the interior decoration has no functional tains wide office windows on the second floor showroom windows a.59 acre auditorium decorated in the Italian Renaissance style. purpose other than as a stage-set for the audience itself. CHECK ONE and extensive terrazo and tile work which is carried into the smaller The lobby is two stories in height with more of a Venetian for four stores along the street, and a central marquee and re- public spaces and restrooms. Gothic character.

This is conveyed by frescoes, antiqued stucco, The overall impression of the Palace Theatre is that of over- The 35o0 square foot stage has a Wurlitzer pipe organ, an orchestra XORIGINAL SITE hanging from a dome 2o feet in diameter and side walls of round- Loge, and two box seats have a capacity of 1950 people proscenium arch has floral decoration encased in panels arranged whelming size and grandeur coupled with lavish detail.One is in a sunburst pattern. The interior is even more elaborate.This includes a marble- pit, and ten dressing rooms with shower facilities.The broad Beyond this is a central 3/4 ton chandelier AREAS OF

Statement of significance

On the Palace's opening night, April 19, 1928, the talking movie Lorain community, both at the time of its construction and now as 1800-1899 EDUCATION 1400-1499 1600-1699 ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC POLITICS/GOVERNMENT COMMERCE ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC RELIGION PERIOD BUILDER/ARCHITECT PHILOSOPHY SIGNIFICANCE MILITARY PREHISTORIC LAW AGRICULTURE SCIENCE _CONSERVATION XARCHITECTURE XART _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT INDUSTRY XTHEATER _TRANSPORTATION luxury and public entertainment were highly regarded. as well as an excellent example of the dramatic possibilities of the The Palace Theatre Building is an important landmark in the featured one of the largest Wurlitzer pipe organs then available and Plastering Company, all of which specialized in theatre decoration.

The building replaced the Old State Theatre which was destroyed both unique for Lorain and typical of an era in which physical _COMMUNICATIONS bya tornado that swept through Lorain on June28,1924.President ture which was then the largest one-floor theatre in the state.It late 1920's architectural eclecticism. The Palace Theatre was the largest theater of its kind in Ohio Company, the Italian Fresco and Paint Company, and the Cleveland dedicated to the Future Progress of Lorain". _ENGINEERING -1500-1599 - 1700-1799 _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN X1900- -ECONOMICS -LITERATURE -MUSIC device, the Vitaphone, was heard for the first time in Lorain.

image was made possible by craftsmen from the Venetian Art Mosaic The theatre is Legitimate theater, charity shows, and vaudeville acts soon brought Silverman of the Variety Amusement Company wanted the new theatre large crowds to what was advertised as the"Temple of Amusement the focus of a broad-based effort to restore it. to be the best of his 16 other properties in Northern Ohio.He - INVENTION 9

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIÇAL REFERENCES The Lorain Journal : April 19, 1928. The Story of Lorain, privately published article. Duff, History of North-Central Ohio, 1931, v.1, pg- 408-447. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY one acre VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE - 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE STREET & NUMBER CITY OR TOWN 2 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National 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.

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTYIS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 892-453 216-245-1010 Lorain ORGANIZATION CODE NORTHING DATE COUNTY TELEPHONE Ohio February 1977 ZONE EASTING Community Development Department UTM REFERENCES 200 West Erie Avenue, 5th floor Linda Nielson & Tom Fisher ATTEST: 4:519.0195.0 3.10.78 A 17| 410,118,75 PUBLIC ALLEY 179 .60 STREET ALLEY PROJECTNO. 6-9-252 BROADWAY 223.71 583 SITE PLAN 131. 731 LORAIN CIVIC ENTERTAINMENT CENTER & FINKEL 100.04 Mgsowic Building o MAR 3 0 1978 DEC 2 01977> REGISTER NATIONAL RECEIVED WASO Form - 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ("R" June 1984) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Fed. Reg.

Date: _ nomination by person or local government Federal Agency: - Lappeal J sample J NR decision Nomination returned for: - _ technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below LORAIN, OHIO 3. Classification 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys 7. Description J excellent J unaltered J original site I moved summary paragraph Category yes REJECT dates Status fair unexposed alterations/integrity Reviewer Accessible RETURN Discipline resubmission deteriorated clarity Condition boundary selection Substantive Review: Working No. completeness Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance Has this property been determined eligible? Reviewer's comments: Recom./Criteria Present Use owner objection see continuation sheet Check one Date Due: 1.

Name Jrequest ruins Ownership 7800210 Action: Public Acquisition good 8. Significance - summary paragraph J relating significance to the resource Other 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 11. Form Prepared By _national State Historic Preservation Officer signature - Phone: - GPO 918-450 Builder/Architect clarity Date Signed context completeness title UTM References Maps Photographs Verbal boundary description and justification 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Quadrangle name Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) local Specific dates applicable criteria 9.

Major Bibliographical References justification of areas checked Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to justification of exception Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: relationship of integrity to significance _state Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Period LUNCHEONETTE SILVER YEI MARY'S Palace Theatre Building, Lorain Co., Ohio Photo: Linda Nielson, 1977 Facade, Broadway at 6th St.

Alley DEC 2 0 1977 MAR 3 0 1978 Negative: Palace Theatre PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER NUT HUT PALACE THEATRE BUILDING SILVER YEI MARY'S Franklin's LUNCHEONETTE BEAUTY SALON MARCEL'S FOR RENT 6 ORDER STORE Palace Theatre Building, Lorain Co., Ohio Photo: Linda Nielson, 1977 MAR 3 0 1978 Negative: Palace Theatre Facade, south end The Palace Theatre Building LORAIN QUADRANGLE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OHIO LORAIN CO. ELYRIA & DEC 2 0 1977 REGISTER GEOLOGICAL SURVEY STATE OF OHIO RECEIVED LORAIN, OHIO Lorain, Lorain, Ohio U. S. DEPARTAENT OF THE INTERIOR ADDRESS (Tel. No. if nooded) TELEPHONE REPORT NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TIME OF CALL (August 1971) DATE 3. SUBJECT, PROJECT NO., ETC. Vhoa l acre. NAME OF PERSON OFFICE ACING/RECEIVING CALL WASO-166 2.22-28 2:10 STATE OHIO MAR 3 0 1978 Boesel, Julius, House Hon. John H.

Glenn, Jr. Hon. Tennyson Guyer Hon. Clarence E. Miller Hon. Donald J. Pease Columbus, Ohio 43211 880 Barn Location Mott Name Middleport Society Brown County Date Entered Lorain County Norwich vicinity Palace Theatre Building ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Muskingum County Auglaize County Meigs County Also Notified Lorain New Bremen vicinity Dr.Thomas H.Smith West Union School Roseville High School Hon. Howard M. Metzenbaum Devanney Site State Historic Preservation Roseville Director, The Ohio Historical Clermont County 78001209 Interstate 7l at l7th Avenue 4/7/78 Officer Georgetown Hon. William H.

Harsha Buckner,Dr.Philip, House and Grant, William H., House 2 OTHER NAMES: 3 date of entry: MAR 3 0 1978 ERSTATE 12)SOURCE of NOMINATION ) CONDITION O deteriorated Vteatures: CO NOT INTACT-O Dunexposed - Unknown S C UNKNOWN-6 -unexcavated &- NOT APPLICABLE -7 - No Access IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?

Dyes Ono 21 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - RECREATION -28 CLAIMS: explain -ENGINEERING -11 - POLITICS / GOVT.- 21 'first'D C LAW - 16 - RELIGION-22 - SETTLEMENT-29 - COMMUNICATIONS-7 -EXPLORATION -12 - LITERATURE - 17 - SCIENCE- 23 'oldest' O - AGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION - 8 - HEALTH-27 - MILITARY - 18 - ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS- 9 - INDUSTRY - 13 - MUSIC - 19 - SOCIAL / CULTURAL- 30 'only' D C ART-5 - EDUCATION-10 C INVENTION - 14 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 - TRANSPORTATION - 25 date major alterations : @architectural style(s): ( interior decorator: 1builder/contractor: IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE 093 Lorain ETHNIC county ASSOCIATION engineer: GROUP ENTERTAINMENT-26 functions INSTITUTIONAL: FEDERAL EVENTS: PERSONAL: artisan: historic events: SUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 CURRENTLY: PRIVATE ORGANIZATION vicinity of URBAN PLANNING-31 Palace Theatre Building NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP Ofair master builder: LOCAL landscape architect/ garden designer: Dexcellent WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: Broadway and 6th St.

ARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 SAVED?YES if state who prepared form? NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET ADMINISTRATOR: NPS REGION: as it appears on federal register: Daltered Doriginal site Dgood Oruins 4 county code: 3 LOCATION street & number city / town II1)CONGRESS. DISTRICT 13th Oreconstrueted Ounknown CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 ACCESS COMMERCE-6 reviewers initials artist: Dmoved