Lincoln Theatre

771 E. Long Street,
Columbus, OH 43203

Unfavorite 9 people favorited this theater

Related Websites

Lincoln Theatre, Columbus (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: J. Real Neth Theaters Co.

Functions: Concerts, Movies (Family)

Styles: Egyptian

Previous Names: Odgen Theatre, Neth's Lincoln Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 614.384.5639

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

Lincoln Theatre

The Ogden Theatre & Ballroom opened on November 26 (Thanksgiving Day) 1928. It was equipped with a Robert-Morton 3 manual 9 rank theatre pipe organ. It was an African-American theatre. Following refurbishment it reopened as the Lincoln Theatre on June 15, 1938 with Edmund Lowe in “Murder on Diamond Row”.

By 1978 it had been closed for several years and was deteriorating, but it wasn’t until 1990 that work began on renovating the building. The Lincoln Theatre became eligible in 1992 for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for its association with the cultural history of the African-American community in Columbus. The building was developed by an African-American fraternal organization; constructed by an African-American construction company; managed by an important local African-American entrepreneur; and was a center for stage and screen entertainment for Columbus' African-American population for decades. It is one of the best remaining vestiges of early 20th century African-American history in the city.

The Lincoln Theatre reopened 25th May 2009, after renovations and restorations had been carried out.

Contributed by Lost Memory

Recent comments (view all 29 comments)

Keith
Keith on October 14, 2011 at 9:48 pm

Mark capa uses the ohio theater for summer movies. they show film and digital.

MarkDHite
MarkDHite on October 14, 2011 at 10:21 pm

Yes of course the summer movies are presented at the Ohio. My question was about the couple of movies that CAPA has also shown at the Lincoln. I was wondering if it was equipped with film projectors or digital or both.

Keith
Keith on October 15, 2011 at 12:02 am

I haven’t heard of any capa movies at the lincoln. no film just digital for dvd projection.

Keith
Keith on March 5, 2012 at 9:47 am

The projector is on display in what used to be the entrance to the theater. Now a board room for rent.

reagan
reagan on September 16, 2012 at 10:30 pm

most likely you will not get this in time, but I would still like some information. Keith, that movie they played in the Lincoln on the opening day is there a way of getting that over the internet, and do any of you know a particular book that covers the history of the place. Any information is and will be appreciated. I am in the process of researching the Egyptian revival and therefore this building falls in my spectrum of research. Thanks

Keith
Keith on September 20, 2012 at 11:25 am

Reagan search Lincoln theatre grand opening on YouTube. Same video I saw.

Keith
Keith on September 20, 2012 at 11:54 am

Also search Columbus neighborhoods king Lincoln at the 10min mark.

bbfarmer
bbfarmer on February 5, 2013 at 1:16 am

In this music video on youtube, there is a glimpse of the marquee, barely visible in the smoke, at the 51 second mark. A smaller portion of the marquee (showing the letters “OLN”) is more clearly seen in the background of a couple of shots afterward. This was in the days when the neighborhood was VERY run down and dangerous. I know because I worked on this video.

The drive-in theater seen many times throughout the video is the long gone Linden Drive-In way up on the North Side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAG3a6UrA-U

AndrewBarrett
AndrewBarrett on January 17, 2014 at 10:10 pm

What a wonderful building! I do wish it and the proprietors (and performers etc) all the best success in future endeavors with this magnificent theatre.

According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database of original organ installations, the Ogden (Lincoln) theatre had a Robert-Morton three manual, nine rank theatre pipe organ installed in 1928. I have no idea where it is now.

I do hope someone knows what happened to the organ and where it (or at least its parts) are today.

This would be a wonderful theatre to have an organ re-installed (especially the original one).

Keith
Keith on June 21, 2014 at 12:16 pm

The Lincoln Theatre has launched “Family Fun Movies at the Lincoln Theatre,” a Saturday morning, summer film series offering double features of popular family films for just $1 per ticket.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.