Palace Theatre
605 Market Avenue North,
Canton,
OH
44702
605 Market Avenue North,
Canton,
OH
44702
8 people
favorited this theater
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.
Designed by the famed Atmospheric style theater architect John Eberson, the Canton Palace Theatre duplicates a Spanish courtyard on a midsummer night. The ceiling, a starry sky with wisps of clouds, creates a dream effect for the audience to enjoy.
Doomed by the advent of television and a period of neglect and decay to Canton’s downtown area, the Palace Theatre’s doors were locked to the public and the marquee darkened on its 50th anniversary in 1976.
Rescued from the wrecking ball 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.
The majestic Palace Theatre is once again the heartbeat of the Canton community and plays host to over 300 events per year that has an attendance of over 100,000 per year.
The theater shows movies, art films, and many types of live talent events.
The theater is now listed on the National Register for Historic Places.
Contributed by
Kris Furlan, Lisa K. Holl
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 74 comments)
What a wonderful-looking theatre! Glad to hear/read about this theatre’s fund-raising/restoration opening, and that it wqs saved from the wrecking ball. All the best of luck to the theatre staff, and the City of Canton, Ohio.
I had forgotten that the infamous wrecking ball was close to being in this theatre’s past. Thank goodness it is still with us though amazed at the cost to heat such a building in today’s economy. That is why it is so important to have theatre fundraisers, etc.
Palace Theater in 2004
This is a nice photo of the Palace.
Another nice photo is here.
1982 photo of the Palace Theatre.
View link
1980 night photo of the Palace Theatre.
View link
1981 photo of the Palace Theatre.
View link
Here is a 2009 photo.
A couple more 2009 photos of the Palace courtesy tbower.
View link
View link
View link
The Canton Palace is one of the finest theatres in both Ohio and the United States. The city of Canton and Stark County is very proud. Was personally involved in restoring the wonderful “Kilgen” pipe organ still played during performances.
CAPT Michael P. Smith USN (Ret.)