West Park Theater

16999 Lorain Avenue,
Cleveland, OH 44111

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Additional Info

Architects: Albert F. Janowitz

Nearby Theaters

West Park Theater

The West Park Theater opened in 1925. Built by Max Lefkowich and operated by Lefkowich & Polster. It was equipped with a Marr & Colton organ. It was operating until at least 1943.

Contributed by Gary Swilik

Recent comments (view all 11 comments)

chspringer
chspringer on October 28, 2011 at 8:59 pm

It was the Riverside Theater not the West Park that was demolished for the drug store. The Google picture above is correct. Look at that photo and then compare the building in the link above. Same building.

gshatterhand
gshatterhand on November 1, 2011 at 11:56 am

There is similarity in the building in the Google image and the West Park Theater, but I humbly insist they are not the same building. The building in the photo is the Alber Building, built by John Alber, and was not home to a movie theater. The West Park Theater stood several doors east of the Alber Building. It later became an Ohio State Unemployment Office. You are right, the Riverside Theater was demolished for a Walgreens Pharmacy. However, at the same time, the former West Park Theater was also demolished. The site of the West Park is now the driveway and drive-thru immediately west of of the pharmacy.

chspringer
chspringer on November 1, 2011 at 12:33 pm

Gary, since I’m in southern Cal and you’re in Cleveland, I’ll withdraw my comment about the Google photo. Sorry about the confusion I’m sure you are correct.

gshatterhand
gshatterhand on November 1, 2011 at 10:56 pm

Nothing to be sorry about, Charles. It was not until quite recently that I was certain where the West Park Theater was located. It’s confusing because of address changes through the years.

prick
prick on April 13, 2012 at 4:14 am

does anyone remember the cinema that was located at Kamm’s Corner? nothing listed that i have found. sorry i dont have any info about it – i only recall it as a young child & moved away fairy early. it was near the center of the “L” in the shopping center. Thanks

gshatterhand
gshatterhand on January 27, 2013 at 8:54 pm

The theater at Kamm’s Corner, at the “L” in the Kamm’s Plaza Shopping Center was the World West Theater.

Surferbri
Surferbri on January 1, 2018 at 2:59 pm

Living in Lakewood and attending high school in the mid 1980s,several weekends we would head up to the old west park theater,but by the 1980s,was a live,18 and over live music club called Flash Gordons (anybody remember that).It was a hard rock/metal venue with bands playing originals and cover bands. After the show, we’d hit Manners Big Boy across from kamms for food. After midnight on Saturday night at Kamms wasn’t like it is now. Apart from a few dimly lit beer joints,everything was closed and dark,except big boys.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on January 1, 2018 at 10:34 pm

This item is from the July 4, 1925, issue of Motion Picture News:

“The Marr & Colton Co. installed an organ in the West Park theatre, operated by Lefkowitz [sic] & Polster. This beautiful theatre was recently opened and is attracting excellent crowds.”
Then there is this item from the April 19, 1937, issue of The Film Daily:
“Cleveland — An 1,800-seat theater, to be called the New West Park, is now being constructed by Max Lefkowich and associates.”
The “New West Park Theatre” was built, but it opened as the Riverside Theatre.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 19, 2018 at 7:26 pm

Link with photos of the West Park and Riverside Theatres.

http://westparkhistory.com/thennow/gone/gone.htm#WPmovie

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 5, 2024 at 12:51 am

A list of buildings designed by architect Albert F. Janowitz includes the West Park Theatre, listed as a 1924 project, though it apparently opened in 1925. The list also includes the 1919 Heights Theatre, and two 1917 projects listed only under the generic term “Movie Theatre.” These two are both listed in Cleveland and both listed as demolished.

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