Nomination for Maumee Theater

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB No. 10024-0018 (Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior RECEIVED MAR - 6 1998 1. Name of Property 2. Location N vicinity city or town - code OH- county - Lucas code 095 zip code 43537 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this X nomination -meets -does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant Signature of certifying official/Title Ohio Historic Preservation Office -- OH SHPO State of Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property -meets [ does not meet the National Register criteria. ( See continuation sheet for additional 4. National Park Service Certification Date of Action entered in the National Register. - See continuation sheet.

determined not eligible for the J removed from the National - other, (explain:) comments.) Date 2-4-98 Ohio state Register. Registration Form Maumee National Register National Register of Historic Places historic name National Park Service N not for publication MAUMEE THEATER Maumee Indoor Theater other names/site number NPS Form 10-900 by entering the information requested.lf an item does not apply to the property being documented,enter "N/A" for not applicable.For functions, entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. street & number 601 Conant Str -request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of - nationally statewide LX locally.

(L See continuation sheet for additional comments.) I hereby certify that the property is: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Registel Dept.Head Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) N building(s) - public-State - public-Federal Structure Name of related multiple property listing 6. Function or Use 7.

Description Noncontributing None CONCRETE object roof Architectural Classification private METAL public-local other Total site walls Materials BRICK Historic Functions Narrative Description ASPHALT Number of contributing resources previously listed COMMERCE/TRADE/Specialty Store Current Functions in the National Register Category of Property (Enter categories from instructions) County and State MODERN MOVEMENT/Moderne Number of Resources within Property RECREATION AND CULTURE/Theater (Check as many boxes as apply) (Check only one box) foundation CONCRETE (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) district Ohio Maumee Theater OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Maumee Theater, Lucas County, Ohio The Maumee Theater, located at U.S.24 (Anthony Wayne Trail) and Conant Street in Maumee, Ohio, was built in 1946 in a commercial version of the Art Moderne Style. (Photos 1, 6, and 8.) The 10,080 square-foot building sits on a lot which measures 72 feet wide and 408 feet deep. The property includes most part, is constructed with a steel frame and sheathed with concrete blocks. The concrete block is covered on the front portion of the building with decorative enamel multicolor painted tiles, which are mounted on the concrete block with concealed metal brackets. The concrete block toward the rear of also made of concrete blocks and sheathed in the metal tiles with the exception of a second story, which is sheathed in red brick.

The shops on each side have large, aluminum framed windows. The shop flanking the south side of the a glass and aluminum door (Photo 17). This entrance has been closed off. Ingress and egress to the The shop flanking the north side of the theater is vacant (Photo 24). It also has an identical window which would have been original to the building (Photo 23). Of the two shop interiors, the barber shop still has most of the original features (Photos 19 and 20). The original built-in furniture, which consists design as the interior partitions of the main theater (Photo 22). The sinks and barber chairs appear to have been replaced at least 20 years ago, but still retain the same configuration as the original barber shop (Photo 21).

One of the building's main features is the marquee which is also sheathed in the decorative metal pattern on the marquee on the sides and along the simple curved edges of the marquee. A large parapet extends above the lines of the marquee. The framing under the parapet is made of metal, and 4). This frame is sheathed in the same tile that is used on the building and is adorned with large, four- the lines of the parapet and the building. The word "Maumee" is painted on the front of the marquee and is outlined in florescent lights. the ticket booth has been removed and boarded-in, and ticket selling was last conducted inside the Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900-a the building is painted the same color as the metal tiles, continuing the color scheme around the building barber shop is from another door located on the south side towards the front of the building (Photo 18).

frame arrangement with metal framed windows, but the front door to this shop is a glazed wood door of a register stand, safe, and glass case are still intact. The register stand has the same curvilinear underside of the marquee is lighted with small, bare light bulbs. Light bulbs are also arranged in a linear is a simple cross-braced design which allows a larger structure with a minimum of material use (Photo Under the marquee are double doors made of glass and aluminum and a ticket booth. The window of a gravel parking lot on the south side of the building and at the rear of the building. The building, for the (Photo 5).There are two small shop entrances flanking the front entrance of the theater.The shops are OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Maumee Theater, Lucas County, Ohio interior of the foyer is painted white, and the wood baseboards are painted black. The lighting for the lobby is behind a rolled cove near the ceiling on the walls, also painted black (Photo 9). Inside the cove are colored florescent lights, which offer soft indirect lighting. The concession stand is located along the north wall of the foyer and is sheathed in white Formica and black wood trim. The office door is has a seating capacity of 525 seats. where the balcony is located, and the door to the projection booth is between the restrooms. The projection equipment has not been removed from the building. The film would have been loaded onto iron railing (Photo 14).

The entries into the restroom areas are at the top of the stairs and are accented with arched, brick entries. Cove lighting is also used near the doors and stairs which lead to the The open area is covered with dark blue velvet or a similar fabric. The side walls are covered with a light colored woven fabric that has been gathered on the walls in places to simulate drawn curtains. Speaker There are four theater exits; one on each side of the building, near the screen, and two are located near but some of the doors have been replaced with metal doors. The rear of the building also has an exit from a half basement where the boiler room is located. Continuation Sheet The wall covering on the interior of the building is fabric, which is gathered to imitate a drawn curtain.

and lighting fixtures are also mounted on the walls.The lighting fixtures are made of metal and are a round tray which has different levels for loading and unloading, passed through a projector, and reeled The seating gently slopes downward toward the screen. The seats are covered in red fabric, have metal the foyer, or open area, at the rear of the seats. The doors were originally paneled wood double-doors, five feet tall. The seats are arranged in three rows with two aisles beyond the partitions. The theater The projection booth and the restrooms for men and women are accessible through a balcony at the a second curtain. The floor of the stage is painted concrete (Photo 13). painted in white enamel. Each of the fixtures have four conventional bulbs, which have multicolored lights and when they are lit, complement the colored cove lighting at the entry (Photo 15).

ticket counter,the door to the theater,and a small door toa storage area are located(Photo 10).The Section number 7Page 2 Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

for National Register listing.) - A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. X C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack Period of Significance L D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) -A ownedby a religious institution or used for - B removed from its original location. - C a birthplace or grave. - D a cemetery. - E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. - F a commemorative property.

- G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Builder: Chappelear Const. Co. Sylvania, Ohio (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 - State Historic Preservation Office CFR 67) has been requested L Other State agency - previously listed in the National Register - Federal agency - previously determined eligible by the National L Local government - University - designated a National Historic Landmark - recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Maumee Branch, Toledo-Lucas County - recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 1946 Architecture Register Bibliography Criteria Considerations religious purposes. Other Architect/Builder Public Library our history. Significant Person Cultural Affiliation Significant Dates 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References individual distinction. Previous documentation on file (NPS): N/A Narrative Statement of Significance Areas of Significance Applicable National Register Criteria LUCAS,OHIO Name of repository: MAUMEE THEATER Primary location of additional data: (Enter categories from instructions) County and State Property is: (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) LUCAS, OHIO Name of Property 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property -67 acre - less than one acre (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet.) (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) 11. Form Prepared By Ted J Ligibel,Ph.D. and Susan Roth-Bagga, AICP Sept., 22, 1997 - date 1168 N. Main St. street & number - telephone city or town .

state _ zip code Submit the following items with the completed form: A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. Representative black and white photographs of the property. (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of SHPOor FPO.) 101 N. Main St., Suite 525 Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seg.). Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form.

Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1993 0 - 350-416 QL 3 48104 43402 name Northing Zone Easting Photographs Maps Additional Documentation name/title Continuation Sheets MAUMEE THEATER Additional items UTM References Wayne/Conant LLC organization Boundary Justification Ann Arbor Poggemeyer Design Group (734)668-6062 See continuation sheet Bowling Green County and State Verbal Boundary Description (419)352-7537 A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. of this form tothe Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of 2 7,8 5,8,0 (Explain why the boundarieswere selected ona continuation sheet.) OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Maumee Theater, Lucas County, Ohio The Maumee Theater is a 51-year-old indoor movie theater located in downtown Maumee, Ohio, at the intersection of two major roads, one of which, US 24, is a primary east/west route. Erected surmounted by a polychrome enamel-paneled parapet that has served as a local landmark for over fixtures, and arched entry elevated restrooms/lounges. It is the only vintage theater remaining in development of drive-in and suburban multi-cinema theaters. It served both as a symbol of postwar recovery in the area and as a superior example of Art Moderne theaters in Ohio.

The Maumee Theater is among a relatively small group of Art Moderne theaters in the state, four of which -- the in Lancaster, and Colony Theater (1940) in Hillsboro -- are listed on the National Register; the latter three as part of historic districts. Fourteen theaters are individually listed on the National Register in Ohio, and one of these, the Twentieth Century, is in the Art Moderne style. The Maumee Theater is being nominated as significant under Criterion C in the area of Architecture, and "possess high artistic value" as a premiere example of "high-style" Art Moderne design. The Maumee Theater was established in 1946 at what was once the intersection of the former Miami and Erie Canal (east/west) and Conant Street (north/south), the "Main Street" of Maumee, Maumee River Valley.

In 1940, as part of a massive WPA roadwork program, the century-old canal bed was filled and regraded to serve as a highway known as the Anthony Wayne Trail (now US 24), which was extended from Toledo to Maumee, and eventually along the Maumee River to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where it headed west. In Maumee, this created a large intersection of two center, first proposed for the northeast corner in 1945, did not materialize for a decade. However, plans for the Maumee Theater, first advanced in 1943 but halted by the World War, did materialize of this intersection. The shopping center, named Golden Gate, eventually was erected in 1955, solidifying this crossroads area as a viable extension of the original CBD.

and subsequently led to a commercial boom"at this location.A 22,0o0 square foot shopping NPS Form 10-900-a postwar movie house designed in the streamlined late Art Deco style often referred to as Art Twentieth Century (1941) in Cincinnati, Lake Theater (1938) in Barberton, Lyric Theater (c. 1946) important thoroughfares at the then northern limit of the original Central Business District (CBD), shortly after the conclusion of World War Il, the Maumee Theater is a rare regional example of a Moderne. The unique facade is highlighted by a massive neon and incandescent marquee half a century.

The interior is largely intact as well and retains a high degree of design integrity Maumee, and one of only a few theaters erected in the region after the war, prior to the and the theater was completed in September 1946, situated prominently at the southwest corner serving asa place"thatembodies the distinctive characteristics of a type"(indoor movie theater), OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Maumee Theater, Lucas County, Ohio The Maumee Theater was built by Rufus E.Young, the proprietor of two other theaters in Maumee and nearby Perrysburg and founder of Young's Theater Company, a local theater management institution, catering to adults and couples in the evenings and featuring popular Saturday matinees for children.

Also, two commercial establishments, one on either side of the theater lobby, augmented retail business offerings in the area, including the Theater Grill to the north and a LLC of Ann Arbor, Michigan, who currently are studying its reuse. The "Area of Significance,"Architecture, is supported by the extensive application of Art Moderne characteristics in the theater design, both on the exterior and in the interior. The choice of the northern edge of a traditional late 19th and early 20th century business district (NR, Uptown Historic District), the Maumee Theater served as a manifestation of an era noted for its modern, streamlined commercial architecture. The use of curved and angled multicolored enamel panels thrusting upward an entire story above the broad marquee was striking during daylight and dramatic at night.

Illuminated by both neon and incandescent lights, the marquee became a beacon that helped define the limits of the business district. The application of tan enameled panels trimmed in brown, yellow, and red hues accented the entire first floor facade and wrapped around either side elevation, culminating in a towering, floral-inspired parapet over the main The effect was truly theatrical and has led some, like Chester Liebs in Main Street to Miracle Mile, to suggest a term for this new look. " By the end of the decade [1940's], dozens of downtown Hollywood Moderne." (Liebs 160.) Relying on bold colors and glossy surfaces of polished aluminum, stainless steel, and enameled metal panels borrowed from streamlined restaurant and auto-service establishments, indoor theaters like the Maumee Theater, the Galion Theater (c.

1948) in Galion, Ohio, the Loyola (1946) Continuation Sheet theaters across the country...sported a new look in cinema design that might be labeled entrance. The interior is largely original and reflects the "moderne" styling as well with rounded VPS Form 10-900-2 management of the Maumee Theater to him until 1951 when it was leased to Carl Schywn, barber shop to the south of the lobby which remains in operation today. A variety of management establishments operated the theater, most recently the Great Eastern Theater Company, until enterprise. Following the return of his son, Donald, from military duty, Young relinquished December 1996 when it was closed due to a heating system failure.Always serving as a movie streamlined Art Moderne style was significant in its modernity and boldness.Placed at the OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Maumee Theater, Lucas County, Ohio in Los Angeles, California, the Fourth Avenue (1947) in Anchorage, Alaska, or the spectacular boom that was hoped would follow the conclusion of the war. Over 4,000theaters had been erected across the nation between 1915 and 1945 (Margolies 11), when the Maumee Theater opened,the movie industry recorded its best retail period to date, labor have been difficult to obtain, and the Youngs, Rufus and Donald, deserve full credit for their life in this small town following the war.

Patrons flocked to the new Maumee Theater, inducing a local newspaper to comment, "Like hundreds of others who have paid their first visit to the new Maumee Theater since it was opened, we were pleasantly impressed." (Maumee Valley News, Theater (1940-41) in west Toledo, also in the Art Moderne style but since demolished, was part and neighborhoods continued to rely on their older prewar theaters or soon erected open-air drive- beginning in the late 1940's and were erected in most communities surrounding Toledo, including Maumee. All of these, except one in Oregon, Ohio, east of Toledo, have been demolished. The in Northwest Ohio. Nationwide, the postwar surge in attendance was a short-lived phenomenon. After 1950, indoor of television in many American households. Between the years 1948 and 1970, the number of indoor movie houses declined by almost 50 percent (Valerio 36).

Likewise, according to the National Association of Theater Owners, the number of drive-in screens fell from an all-time high of more than 4,000in 1958to less than 3,000 by 1983, a trend that continued through the decade, virtually eviscerating the outdoor theater market. (Toledo Blade, 1984.) The Maumee Theater, declines by offering second-run movies at reasonable fares, even as low as $1 during the 1980's 1946.) Continuation Sheet in theaters to meet entertainment needs.Drive-in theaters were popular in Northwest Ohio Section number_ 8 Page 5 Fremont (c. 1944) in San Luis Obispo, California, envisioned taking advantage of the postwar Maumee Theater noted its potential role in the region, "Maumee has led other communities in of a nationally-touted suburban shopping/entertainment development in Toledo.

Most communities nearest known Art Moderne style indoor theater is in Galion, more than 100 miles away and not considered part of this region, making the Maumee Theater the only identified example of this type however, continued to maintain a solid presence in Maumee and the area, responding to these opening a modern moving picture theater during the difficult postwar period, when materials and Locally,however,few indoor theaters actually were conceived during this period.The Colony (NPSFom 10-90-a NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Maumee Theater, Lucas County, Ohio and early 1990's. Though patronage decreased from the numbers recorded in the 1940's, 1950's, and 1960's, this approach attracted region-wide audiences to the Maumee Theater until its closure in late 1996.

Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places (8-86) Section number _ Page OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number_ 9,10 Page _ 7 Maumee Theater, Lucas County, Ohio Section 9: MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES Liebs, Chester H. Main Street to Miracle Mile: American Roadside Architecture. Boston, Little, Brown & Co., 1985. Margolies, John and Emily Gwathmey. Ticket to Paradise: American Movie Theaters and How We Had Fun. Boston, Little, Brown & Co., 1991. November 16, 1945; September 5, 1946; September 19, 1946; December 20, 1951; June 9, 1955. Naylor, David. Great American Movie Theaters. Washington, D.C., The Preservation Press, 1987. Toledo Times. September 22, 1940. Valerio, Jospeh M. and Daniel Friedman. Movie Palaces: Renaissance and Reuse.

New York, Academy for Educational Development, 1982. Wendler, Marilyn V. The Food of the Rapids: The Biography of a River Town, Maumee, Ohio, 1838 - 1988. Canton, Ohio; Daring Books, 1988. Section 10: GEOGRAPHICAL STUDY Verbal Boundary Description The Maumee Theater nomination includes all of Lot 18 of Block 6 of Ewing & Rowan's Addition to the City of Maumee, Ohio, a parcel 72 feet by 408 feet in size. Boundary Justification Lot 18 of Block 6 of Ewing & Rowan's Addition is the entire parcel that contains the Maumee Theater Maumee Valley News.July 19,1940;March 16,1945:September28,1945;October19,1945; NPS Form 10-900-a building and its adjoining parking areas and open space. NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 National Park Service Maumee Theatre, Lucas County, Ohio Section number - Page PHOTOGRAPH DESCRIPTIONS The following information is the same for all photos: Maumee Theatre Lucas County, Ohio Ted J. Ligibel, Ph.D. October 28, 1997 .

Negative Location: Photo Number 1 of 24 Interior concessions area, facing northwest The following are specific descriptions for individual photos: Facade, facing west Theatre interior, facing west Facade close-up, facing west Facade close-up, facing northwest Theatre screen, facing southwest Rooftop marquee close-up, northeast Interior staircase, facing east Rear and south side elevation, facing northeast Interior lighting fixture, facing south Facade and south side elevation, facing northwest Projection room, facing northwest Facade ticket window, facing southwest Barber shop interior front entrance, facing southeast Barber shop interior side entrance, facing southwest Barber shop front entrance, facing northwest Barber shop interior, facing northwest Barber shop side entrance, facing northwest Vacant shop front entrance, facing southwest Vacant shop interior, facing west Location: Photographer: Continuation Sheet Name: National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior Interior Site Photos Consultant of Owner Date of Photo: (8-86) Exterior Site Photo Directory U.S.

24 116 Conant St. Maumee Theater,Maumee (Lucas County) Ohio VILLIAM DESIGN GROUP William St. POGGEMEYER 6'W P 120 100 IRK Maumee Theater, Maumee (Lucas County) Ohio DESIGN GROUP POGGEMEYER Interior Site Photo Directory Hm: 100 REC'D BY OHPO JAN2 91998 Lucas County, Ohio Maumee, Ohio C. 1950 view of facade, 1ooking westerly.

Property of Toledo-Lucas County Public Library MAUMEE THEATER City of Maumee REC'D BY OHPO JAN 2 9 1998 Maumee Theater, Maumee (Lucas County) Ohio TOLEDO PERRYSBURG LUCAS CO BLUE GRASS ISLAND WOOD THIS SHEET Maumee, OH 1005 ALLEN 1013 (Lucas County) Maumee Theater 601 Conant Street NOT REVISED SINCE 3/66 (CANAL BLVD.) E ANTHONY WAYNE 004 1007 CONANT SACKETT 1010 EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 45TH DAY: NOMINATOR: STATE N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS : TELEPHONE MULTIPLE DATE RETURN 4/20/98 DISCIPLINE REJECT 3/06/98 REVIEWER RECOM./CRITERIA OTHER: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Entered in the DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF PENDING LIST: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DATE OF 16TH DAY: APPEAL: N REQUEST: N DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N STATE & COUNTY: OHIO, Lucas REASONS FOR REVIEW: PROPERTY SAMPLE: VACCEPT Maumee Theater 4/08/98 MAUMEE TODAY MAUMEE TODAY MAUMEE TODAY EAST FIRE SIGNAL WEST MAUMEE Talad TICKETS JCT Maumee Theate Maumee Theate 605 Maw mee Theate Maumee Theatre MAUMEE THEATER 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) MAUMEE QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MAUMEE, OHIO (LUCAS COUNTY) ZONE: 17 ROAD CLASSIFICATION DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mapped, edited, and published by the Geological Survey