Canton Palace Theatre
Historic Theaters
CASE Studies
Current Name of Theater: Canton Palace Theatre
Current Type : Performance
Seats: 1509
Website: www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
Historic Names of Theater:
Address: 605 Market Avenue N., Canton, Ohio 44702
330-454-8172
Contact Info: Georgia Paxos
Email:
Year Built/Style: 1926/ Spanish Revival
Original Architect: John Eberson, Chicago
Original Cost:
Listed on National Register: yes – 79001949
History of Theater
Canton once boasted nine vaudeville/movie houses but today the Palace is the only remaining historic theater in the city. The Spanish/Moorish-themed building opened on November 22, 1926.
In Downtown Canton, Ohio, a standing room only crowd welcomed the opening of Harry Harper Ink’s million dollar vaudeville and movie palace on Monday, November 22, 1926. The American public was enjoying the Charleston craze and motion pictures featuring such screen stars as Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. The Theatre was a gift to the community from Canton entrepreneur and industrialist businessman Harry Harper Ink. He owned the Canton based Tonsiline Company, makers of a cough syrup formula marketed in a unique giraffe shaped bottle. The two giraffe plaques located above our proscenium arch are reminiscent of this motif.
The Theatre was designed by the noted Austrian born architect John Eberson of Chicago, who achieved fame during the 1920s through his creation of “atmospheric” theatres located in cities across the United States. The Palace seeks to re-create a Spanish courtyard on a midsummer night. Its ceiling, a starry sky with wisps of clouds, creates a dream effect. The Palace still has our original cloud machine that makes the clouds continuously march across the sky.
The Theatre includes an ornate columned proscenium arch over its stage, an elaborate fly system for the numerous stage curtains and theatrical backdrops, eleven dressing rooms, a chorus room, a musician’s lounge, a music room, one shower room, and an orchestra pit with seating for eighteen musicians. Peter Clark designed the original lighting system to take viewers from sunrise to sunset in the courtyard setting.
One of the most famous attractions of the Palace Theatre is the mighty Kilgen Pipe Organ. It was originally used to provide background music for the silent movies shown on the Palace Theatre screen. The Kilgen is one of only a few left in the country, and the only one that remains in its original home.
The 1960s and 1970s brought about a period of neglect and decay to Canton’s downtown area. Businesses and stores migrating to the suburbs and the growing popularity of television affected the Palace’s regular patronage. The theatre’s doors were locked to the public and its marquee darkened on its 50th Anniversary in 1976.
Cost of Rehabilitation
Source of Funds:
Architect:
Contractors:
Renovation Story
In 1976 the Palace shut its doors as downtown Canton began to decline and businesses and stores moved to the suburbs. Quick action by the Canton Jaycees saved the structure from the wrecking ball and eventually the Canton Palace Theatre Association was formed in 1980 to reopen the theater. Since that time, the Palace Theatre has become a viable multi-purpose entertainment facility. The 60–foot high marquee once again shines brightly over downtown Canton.
Just one week before the structure was doomed to a wrecking ball, the Canton Jaycees stepped forward to act as the holding organization until a search committee could be formed to see if there were enough people interested in making The Palace Theatre a viable business once again. Rescued by a group of concerned citizens and the City of Canton, the Palace was held in trust until The Canton Palace Theatre Association could be formed.
The building reopened in 1980 and the restoration of the theater has been ongoing since. To date, approximately $4.0 million has been spent to restore the building.
Today The Palace is once again alive, and is a vital multipurpose entertainment facility. Its marquee burns brightly sixty feet above Market Avenue welcoming you to enter its grand foyer and become a part of Canton’s nostalgic past and its bright future.The majestic Palace Theatre is once again the heartbeat of the Canton community and plays host to over 300 events per year
