Majestic Theatre

The Masonic Hall is the oldest theater ever built in Ohio. It started life in 1808 by the Blue Lodge Masons but the theater was completely burned to the ground in October 1852.

The Masonic Hall was quickly rebuilt as a 40x100ft showhouse and it reopened to the public in April 1853. This was followed by a remodel in 1867, and was renamed the Masonic Opera House in December 1876 following an expansion of the building to 50x120ft led by contractors John W. Cook and Isreal Beideman. Another remodel took place in 1883. In 1904, A.R. Wolf bought the Masonic Opera House from the Masons as they were building a new Temple on Main Street. Mr. Wolf remodeled the theatre and enlarged the stage. He replaced all the windows in the front of the building with beautiful stained glass windows. The Masonic Opera House continued under Wolf’s excellent managerial abilities until he sold it to the Myers Brothers in 1915. They again made some improvements and repairs and installed both a screen and theater equipment. The Myers Brothers changed the name to the Majestic Theatre and occasionally had live theatre productions on the stage but finally went to motion pictures exclusively.

As of the latter half of the 19th century, the Masonic Opera House originally housed around 450 people and featured a 46.5x28ft stage under the supervision of Warren H. Girvin of Syracuse, New York. The proscenium arch was 31x26ft high, and below the stage were all the mechanics necessary to operate the several trap doors in the stage floor. There is also 8ft double doors as the main entrance/exit doors to the stage. The vestibule had a ticket booth on one side and at the other side was the stairway to the balcony and stairs continuing up to the top floor to the Masonic Lodge Rooms. Upon entering the auditorium from the vestibule you were in a horizontal aisle across the back blocked off by a screen from the seating. In front of the screen was the “Dress Circle” in a horseshoe shape. The seats were on platforms giving each adequate view of the stage. In front of the circle featured a floor with an incline of one-to-twelve inches. At the front of this was the orchestra pit. The balcony above was also horseshoe shaped and again the seats were on platforms, each 12 inches above the one in front of it. The row of seating behind this was the Gallery. They could provide a flat floor for dancing and roller skating if the seats were removed. Mr. E. B. Hough, a scenic artist from Syracuse, N.Y., was hired to decorate the interior. The main ceiling was handsomely frescoed and above the stage in the center was an allegorical representation of music. In each corner were representations of each of the seasons. The walls were painted gray. On the bottom level of the addition was six dressing rooms complete with mirrors and makeup lamps. One of the hallways also provides a convenient entrance to and from the hotel next door and backstage.

It is still there. I was a projectionist for the Majestic back in the early 70’s. The 4th floor was a museum in itself with many original posters from the early days of theater.

Really nice picture. retroguy,Where were the Stagehands! if they are like my union brothers i bet they were out back on a smoke break.lol.

There are a couple local legends about the theater:

During the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic, the theater supposedly served as a makeshift morgue. Blood emptied from flu victims prior to embalming was poured out in the alley beside the theater, earning it the name “Blood Alley.”

There’s also a ghost of a girl in blue who’s said to sometimes sit in the audience during a show. She’s supposed to have a favorite seat and take it badly if someone sits there.

I had the pleasure of working at the Majestic and Adena Theaters from 1981 – 1986. This was during the period when first run movies were played (before the multiplex influx). Best job ever……

I remember being young and going to the Majestic Theater to watch the double features! Two movies for a cheap price! It was great fun! I also attended Unioto High School in this wonderful town, and I was enrolled in a performing arts program with Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational Center. We were allowed to use this theater as our class room, where I learned all about set construction, projection of voice and even the history of the Majestic! It was a great experience and I will always treasure it. I am so grateful for growing up in this town, and having this theater as a “learning” resource!!