The Clinton Theater is an important part of Columbus’ architectural legacy. It was built in the same era as many homes in the area, and is one of the original business structures along the High Street corridor of Clintonville. Inside, the theater features a huge recessed ceiling dome, decorative plaster on the ceiling and upper walls, and a large stage intended for vaudeville performances. Its reputation over the years was that of a beautifully built, first-class neighborhood theater, with top-rated technical equipment, comfortable accommodations, and an excellent selection of films.
Over 2000 area residents have signed a petition in favor of saving the Clinton Theater. Here’s why:
• Many people who live or shop in Clintonville treasure older buildings and support the renovation and re-use of architectural gems such as the Clinton Theater.
• In other areas of Columbus and in other cities, the adaptive re-use of older buildings has been a profitable activity for developers and business owners.
• The square-footage cost of renovating and re-using the theater, according to Columbus Landmarks Foundation, is cheaper than the cost of demolishing it and building a new structure.
• Because saving the entire Clinton Theater is consistent with the values of the Clintonville community, renovation and re-use of the building will result in a more successful business enterprise than demolition.
• In today’s world, the architectural features of the Clinton cannot be duplicated at a reasonable cost. If the theater is demolished, it’s legacy is lost forever to future generations.
Clinton Theater Facts
3379 North High Street
History
January 1, 1927—The Clinton Theater opens, featuring “The Strong Man” with Harry Langdon. Its owner is William M. James, who amassed a dynasty of first-class theaters in Columbus.
November 12, 1927—William James suffers from poor health and sells The Clinton and several other theaters to his top assistant, James Real Neth. Mr. Neth was also known as a premier movie house operator and eventually came to own the Grand, Broadway, Hartman, Eastern, State, Markham, Vernon, and Pythian theaters.
1946—A new marquee is put on.
1958—J. Real Neth sells The Clinton to Leo Yassenoff, who owns two other Clintonville theaters--the Beechwold (now Columbus Sports Connection) and the Indianola (now Studio 35). Mr. Yassenoff renovates the theater, adding a tropical theme to the interior.
September 7, 1973—Mr. Yassenoff sells The Clinton to Clintonville Electric Company, who levels the floor of the auditorium for use as a warehouse.
Basic Characteristics
General description of exterior and interior.
Auditorium: 74 feet in width by 166 feet in depth, with a 32 foot wide
proscenium opening and a large practice stage.
Capacity: 1500 seats.
Initial cost to build: $300,000.
Architect: Harry Holbrook.
Interesting Features
One of the first movie houses in Columbus to have air conditioning.
Ceiling dome with twinkling stars which faded as the movie began.
Top-notch organ, which cost a handsome $30,000.
Top-of-the-line projection and sound systems.
1958 renovation, with tropical scenes painted on the walls, was likely inspired by the popularity of atmospheric theaters, which provided movie-goers a fantasy setting.
-------------------------------- cornice and dome above the screen/stage
After serving the Columbus neighborhood of Clintonville for almost half a century, The Clinton Theatre closed in 1973, and was used as a warehouse. When the Clinton Electric Company relocated to a new building in 2003, plans were announced to demolish the theatre building and adjacent structures, and to develop a commercial business strip. Clintonville community leaders mounted a petition drive and, within a few weeks, gathered more than two thousand signatures. When the developer learned what the cost of demolishing the buildings would mean in terms of investment, the development plans were scrapped. The building remains empty, although the commercial storefronts to the north of the theatre itself are occupied by several local businesses.
The Columbus Dispatch covered the efforts to save the building in November, 2003.
Artist George Aycock donated a watercolor of the theatre's interior
The interior of the theatre as a warehouse; from The Booster, July 29, 2005.
