Fairmont Theater
416 Adams Street,
Fairmont,
WV
26554
416 Adams Street,
Fairmont,
WV
26554
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Updated link to interior photos taken shortly before demolition: http://travelogue.darkpassage.com/show/fairmont/
The March 3, 1923, issue of The Moving Picture World had this item about the original Fairmont Theatre:
The September 10, 1973, issue of Boxoffice noted the conversion of the Fairmont Theatre into a triplex. Two of the auditoriums were in operation, and the third was expected to open in October.
Here are some interior photos shortly before its demolition.
Demolition on the theater began Wednesday, September 26 for a $25 million state office building.
Is this theater still around? I am in the process of buying and rehabbing the Philippi Grand and if it proves profitable I want to work on reopening other theaters in WV, KY, OH, PA, MD, and VA. There are so many wonderful old theaters with more character than any modern cookie cutter places.
I just came across a new “Save the Fairmont” Facebook page. The Fairmont was acquired by the county and is expected to be demolished to make way for a new building. It seems that others are trying to save the marquee and doors, via a petition, also posted on the page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the-Fairmont-Theater/348178051888181
Here is a web page that is mostly about the original Fairmont Theatre. It says that the house opened on June 4, 1923, and was destroyed by fire in February, 1945. The architect of the original Fairmont Theatre was Fred W. Elliot, of Columbus, Ohio.
The rebuilt Fairmont was opened on July 18, 1946.
Anyway, the clock is ticking on this building and it will be demolished soon. I talked to some people and if ANYONE out there is interested in salvaging anything from this theatre, inside or outside, including the Vitrolite and marquee, PLEASE contact the Marion County, WV county commission ASAP, as they may be open to salvage possibilities.
I was in this building today, via a friend who was able to obtain the key. In less than 4 years, things have really gone downhill.
The drop-ceiling is collapsing and water is dripping everywhere. It is a mess. The drop-ceiling collapse has revealed a hidden vintage mural (jungle-themed and beautiful.)
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Thats too bad looks like a nice theatre from the outside.
It was in the paper this week that they’re going to demolish it soon, but are putting out a commemorative Christmas Ornament memorializing it, which is hardly a worthy replacement, alas.
Hi-
Lost Memory, can you offer more information about the architect Victor Rigaumont? Any citations you can point me to? Thanks!
What a waste to demolish this place. Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yezf75b
The seven-screen Fairmont is a different theater with this address: 98 Tygart Mall Loop, Whitehall WV, 26554. This theater is closed, and may be doomed, as the whole block is being eyed as the site for a new state office building: View link
Looks like it reopened with seven cinema when I checked the Fairmount,WV showtimes.
Unfortunately the theater is now closed.I could make a great performance arts center for Fairmont State College though plus it would help revitalize the downtown area and it would save the college a ton of money by not building a brand new theater.Hopefully this theater will be saved!
The site gives 1923, but the url says 1926. I agree that it’s not the 1946 Fairmont. It must have been an earlier theater in Huntington.
This must have been its predecessor. The photo is either 1923 or 1926. The site was a little conflicted on that.
http://tinyurl.com/6gmbst