Roadtrip: Historic Theater

Check out these beautiful historic theaters that still remain in NW Ohio

BY ANNIE LUST

HICKSVILLEHUBER OPERA HOUSEThe Huber Opera House began as a hotel, built in 1882, before transforming into an opulent theater with rich colors, dazzling lights and a spectacular stage curtain. Despite the impressive debut, the theatre fell into disrepair over the next several decades. In 1999, the Historical Society and the community banded together to restore the building to its former glory.

MANSFIELDRENAISSANCEIn 1928, the Ohio Theatre was built as a grand movie house in Mansfield, Ohio. For 20 years, it successfully hosted popular films, live performers, and premieres, becoming a cultural hub for the city. However, with the rise of television, theatre's popularity declined, and it faced a period of neglect. In 1980, a restoration began with a massive clean-up and chandelier relighting.

SANDUSKYTHE SANDUSKY STATE THEATREThe Sandusky State Theatre was designed in a stunning Art Deco style. From 1928, it hosted concerts, musicals and community gatherings. The theater underwent significant renovations in the early 2000s, restoring its architectural beauty and enhancing its facilities. In 2020, a massive storm ripped through Sandusky, tearing off the theatre’s roof and destroying much of the interior. The catastrophe brought Erie County residents together to imagine a brighter future for the theatre. Plans to preserve, restore and expand the theatre were set into motion.

TIFFINTHE RITZAt the end of the “Roaring Twenties,” Tiffin builders Dan Kerwin and Adam Ritzler dreamed of a more grand and beautiful movie palace than anything the area had ever seen. When it opened on December 20, 1928, its ornate architecture, featuring a stunning marquee and elegant interior, reflected the grandeur of the era. Renovated in 1998 to its almost original condition, The Ritz Theatre allows us to look back to a time when the theaters themselves often stole the show.

TOLEDOHISTORIC OHIO THEATREThe Historic Ohio Theatre in Toledo, designed in the elaborate Beaux-Arts style, debuted in 1921 as a grand movie palace. The theater was initially a venue for silent films and live performances, showcasing the glamour of early 20th-century entertainment. In the late 20th century, a preservation effort revitalized the theater, restoring its stunning architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.