Nomination for Liberty Theatre

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 National Park Service 1. Name 2. Location street & number _not for publication city, town - vicinity of _ state - county- 3. Classification - public X unoccupied - agriculture _ museum _ commercial - park _ structure _ both work in progress _ educational . private residence X entertainment X yes: restricted - government - being considered - yes: unrestricted - transportation _ military _ other: 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc.

_ yes x no .federal Category 039 Youngstown Struthers date code Accessible Ownership site district received historic religious industrial Status object Mahoning local Inventory-Nomination Form (3-82) title scientific Public Acquisition National Register of Historic Places Present Use date entered Mahoning County Courthouse 120 Market Street William Thomas Andrews Type all entries-complete applicable sections 625 Sexton Street Ohio Liberty Theatre has this property been determined eligible? See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms in process depository for survey records 6. Representation in Existing Surveys United States Department of the Interior 142 Federal Plaza West For NPS use only NPS Form 10-900 JAN I 0 1984 x building(s) Ohio 44471 and or common Paramount Theater X_private 7.

Description X altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

buildings of a similar height, although this is one of the oldest and most ornate structures a result this facade of the building is finished only in buff colored brick. The front facade of the theatre building is finished with glazed buff colored terra cotta. facade is ornamented by single bays of terra cotta, similar in proportion and detail to those on to the exterior consist of a reworking of the original marquee, a change which does not alter The interior of the building is largely occupied by the auditorium, which is a tall and vast performing theatres, although this was designed as a combination film and performance theatre. The ornamentation in the auditorium is restrained and classical in nature, reflecting a mezzanine level, which faces onto the rear of the orchestra level, where three crystal chande- Condition moved ruins unexposed owners.

excellent Check one filled with metal spandrels which separate the two floors.Metal work divides the windows the walls form accents over each of the rectangular window openings and in the frieze of the terra cotta forms a Neoclassical front consisting of Corinthian pilasters which divide the facade into four bays and an ornate cornice which crowns the structure.Garlands molded into supported in part by decorative iron struts descending from the upper facade.The Hazel Street seating faces onto an unusually deep proscenium arch which was flanked by loge boxes, which modified but retain their essential commercial openness with newer.doors and glazing.

such as the Wick Building which have been included in a National Register thematic resources and is quite restrained for the period.The broad window openings of the upper floors are space with an orchestra level and a balcony, which contains a majority of the seating.The X_original site These changes are reversible and restoration of the original interior is planned by the new X_fair _ unaltered flanked by equally broad storefronts. The storefronts are typically open, featuring large expanses of display windows. Separating the ground floor from the upper floors is a large the front. mal1 with trees, shrubbery and benches. Hazel Street is a narrow, alley-like passage and as into numerous square panes.

The ground floor of the building features a broad theatre entrance date deteriorated The in the vicinity.Further east on West Federal Street are some notable commercial buildings revival of the Federal or Adam style.A centerpiece in the ornamentation is the sunburst The Liberty Theatre is a 3story masonry and steel frame structure which is Neoclassical in marquee which extends across the entire front of the building.It is a massive metal structure minimum of terra cotta banding.The other two sides of the building are unexposed.Alterations 90good Areas of Significance - Check and justify below - community planning X architecture X 1900- politics government other (specify) The Liberty Theatre is significant as a rare and relatively well preserved example of restrained early Neoclassical architecture, with its light and delicate architectural detailing reflecting the influence of the revival, of Federal and Adam forms in early style.

In relation to other theatre buildings in the state, this is one of the oldest surviving early movie palaces in Ohio. theatre and was built on the site of the Excelsior Block, a Civil War-era structure that In 1922 the theatre was sold by its original owners to the McCrory Department Store chain; have harmonized with the original decor. It is likely that the public restrooms were updated a suspended ceiling was placed beneath the original proscenium arch, the loge boxes removed 1600-1699 communications 1400-1499 commerce economics art transportation 1700-1799 1500-1599 engineering 1800-1899 education conservation military invention archeology-historic theater literature science Period philosophy industry archeology-prehistoric exploration/settlement prehistoric social/ law sculpture 8.

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) whether any major decorative changes to the auditorium were also made at this time; however, Corporation went into receivership and the Paramount Theatre was turned back to the Hazel which was said to be planning a skyscraper on the site.Seven years later the building it survives today and its restoration is planned.

Criterion C theatre was "not excelled by any other theatre of its size in the United States in the manner Youngstown-Warren area and is one of a few commercial buildings in Youngstown in this men in 1983 who have begun the process of restoring the building for future use as an old in spite of wartime in steel.At the time of its as Youngstown's first motion picture palace.It was the city's largest and most elaborate .agriculture town and is one of that city's older and.more distinguished downtown commercial structures, time to display the name of the new owners and the new theatre name.It is not known -music - religion and equip it for presentation of sound pictures. The theatre marquee was modified at this Builder/Architect C. Howard Crane, Detroit early twentieth century theatre architecture.

It is the oldest surviving theatre in Youngs- forming a most important part of the downtown streetscape. It is a rare example of a On February l1, 1918 the theatre was opened by Christopher W. Deibel, manager and developer, landscape architecture twentieth century architecture.This is the only theatre building of this style in the and the screen moved forward.The building and its entire contents were sold to two young since.theatres were still being designed in the Neoclassical style by 1929, any changes would The lobby was modernized probably in the1950's and in recent years 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Joseph G. Butler, Jr., ed., p. 146 Youngstown Vindicator: Feb. 10, 1918; Oct. 10, 1922; May 31, 1929; 10. Geographical Data UT M References The nominated property consists of Lot No. 339 in the city of Youngstown, Ohio and is - state 11. Form Prepared By Steve McQuillin, Independent Preservation Consultant 1375 Euclid Avenue, Suite 300 street & number Ohio 44115 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification X local 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated GPO 894-785 code date Easting Zone county organization Quadrangle scale 1:24,000 Northing Attest: national name/title August 1983 National Register Quadrangle name Verbal boundary description and justification State Historic Preservation Officer signature Cleveland less than one The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries Acreage of nominated property Chief of Registration city or town Youngstown, Ohio 1.History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Ohio, vol.II, rectangle measuring 65 by 150 feet, For NPs use only 5|29260 April 7, 1933 telephone (216) 861-6367 according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

Keeper of the National Register As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National:Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 12/20 I hereby certity that this property is included ip the Natjonal Register WASO Form - 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ("R" June 1984) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Working No. _ Fed. Reg. Date 2/5/86 Date Due: - nomination by person or local government owner objection -appeal -sample Jrequest - NR decision _ see continuation sheet .technical corrections cited below .substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? 7.

Description J excellent -unaltered -original site summary paragraph Accessible yes ruins Ownership resubmission dates completeness Status Category alterations/integrity Condition Discipline moved unexposed RETURN Reviewer Recom./Criteria deteriorated ACCEPT fair Liberty Theatre, Action: boundary selection Substantive Review: OHIO Federal Agency: Reviewer's comments: Mahoning County Present Use Nomination returned for: Check one Describe the present and original (if known)physical appearance clarity REJECT 8. Significance Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 11.

Form Prepared By _national State Historic Preservation Officer signature - Date - Signed Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Builder/Architect completeness title Period applicable criteria Maps context clarity state local summary paragraph Quadrangle name Specific dates Verbal boundary description and justification UTM References Photographs justification of exception relationship of integrity to significance 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to justification of areas checked The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: relating significance to the resource - Phone: - Lern KICARAMOUNT PERELMANS Youngstown, Ohio August 1983 front viewed from southeast negatives in photographer's files Paramount Theatre PT-1 Steven McQuillin, photographer PARAMOUNT Youngstown, Ohio August 1983 Steven Mcluillin, photographer negatives in photographer's files Paramount Theatre front and side from southwest cor.

PT-2 Youngstown, Ohio Steven McQuillin, photographer interior: auditorium ceiling Paramount Theatre negatives in photographer's files August 1983 Youngstown, Ohio August 1983 Paramount Theatre negatives in photographer's files Steven McQuillin, photographer interior: proscenium arch February, 1983 Paramount Theatre plasterwork - interior of theatre Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio Negs: 625 Sexton Street, Struthers, OH 44471 February, 1983 Plasterwork detail - interior Paramount Theatre Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio Photographer: William T.

Andrews Negs: 625 Sexton Street, Struthers, OH 44471 Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio February, 1983 Negs: 625 Sexton Street, Struthers, OH 44471 Paramount Theatre interior capital detail February, 1983 Paramount Theatre one of the three original chandeliers on the parquet level Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio February, 1983 Paramount Theatre one of the original frosted ceiling fixtures on the mezzanine level Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio Photographer: William T. Andrews February, 1983 Negs: 625 Sexton Street, Struthers, OH 44471 Paramount Theatre one of the original cast-iron seats on the balcony level Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio Negs: GEOLOGICAL SURVEY YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OHIO-MAHONING CO. 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC N4100 - W803/.5/ 1.5 UNITED STATES YOUNGSTOWN QUADRANGLE NOV 7 1983 P.o. Box 1384 Youngstown, OH 44501 November 3, 1983 W.

Ray Luce Columbus, OH 43211 Dear Mr. Luce : Youngstown, Ohio, received a letter stating that our property is At this time, we would not only like to give our wholehearted support of such a venture, but also our gratitude to all those So often one hears of the efforts of lee Iaccoca, Gerald Ford, and freedom; The Liberty Theatre, better known today as the Liberty- bol of freedom, a symbol of sacrifice and brotherhood. The char- is a very rare title to place on a theater, but we feel confident The Liberty Theatre c/o Downtown Properties State Historic Preservation Officer Board for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. plaster that it sends chills up our spines just thinking how close involved and to those who will be involved in making the Youngstown Area's oldest theatre a national landmark.

same month this great nation became involved with World War I, Ohio Historical Center Paramount Theatre. this building came to total vandalism and eventual demolition. the many others who are so dilengently working to save this nation's Historic Places would be like telling Lee Iaccoca to forget about his project; that the Statue of Liberty has gone her course, she Ohio Historic Preservation Office in doing so. Knowing how her construction was started in April of 1917,the acter of Liberty herself is embossed so beautifully into the I-71 and 17th Avenue orative ceiling and walls of this grand old building, we see we are sure you can see why she is considered a War "Baby". That The next time you happen to be passing by Youngstown, please feel and pray that day will never come. Right?

being considered by the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory are also very proud to be the owners of Youngstown's own symbol of We are quite proud to have contributed to their foundation.We two symbols of freedom:The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. On September the owners of the Liberty Theatre in When we walk from the lobby into the foyer and look up at the dec- Page 2 Independent Preservation Consultant Inventory and Registration George Vukovich Sincerely yours, David A.Simmons Steven McQuillin Mayor of Youngstown Richard E. Blackwell William T. Andrews November 22, 1983 Prof.

Paul Young, Chairman Columbus, OH 43211 in Youngstown, Ohio for placement on the National Register of Historic In addition, the Liberty Theatre is probably the oldest theater in Northeast 614/466-8285 and President Dear Professor Young: HM/sk 33rd Senate District Harry Meshel Majority Leader for approval. Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board very much for your assistance,and please keep me informed of its prospects The Liberty Theatre first opened as a motion picture theater in February Places. I am writing you to offer my strong recommendation of the Liberty Theatre c/o Ohio Historical Center The Ohio Senate inside and outside the theater is of the Adams-style and is quite beautiful. Ohio and one of the oldest in the entire state. I-71 and 17th Avenue of 1918.

The patriotic artwork of the theater is unique, having design Sincerely, 1 Statehouse Columbus, Ohio 43216 Again, I strongly urge that the Liberty Theatre be given serious consider- ation for placement on the National Register of Historic Places.Thank you artwork of Lady Liberty in its walls and ceilings.The architecture both