Liberty Theater
5591 Liberty Avenue,
Vermilion,
OH
44089
5591 Liberty Avenue,
Vermilion,
OH
44089
2 people
favorited this theater
It is located in downtown Vermilion, Ohio. The building dates to 1870 when it was a dry good store. It became a theater around the 1930’s and was open until the 1980’s. A few years ago it was purchased, gutted, and turned into a retail coffee/decorating/antique shop.
My wife and I purchased it in May of 2002 and opened it in November of 2002. We used the lobby and 60 feet for retail (music boxes, radios, record players, organs, clocks, windmills, sales and service). The remaining (rear) 50 feet contain the stage and balance of the auditorium. Our plans were to restore the building (50' area and stage first) and return to showing movies. We purchased a Wurlitzer Horseshoe Theater Organ Console and planned to eventually install it with the pipe chamber above stage right. We also hoped to install a temporary screen in the showroom area in order to do some screenings. Unfortunately these plans never came to fruition.
Contributed by
Earl W. Haug
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
Yes, the rail line runs behind the theatre building. I don’t remember hearing any trains, but I sure it was possible. By the way, the bulid as built held maybe 300 seats. Sometime in the late forties or very early fifties, the rear of the building was extended and the seating capacity increase to 507. If you look at the side of the building you can see where the extention starts. My family left Ohio in 1959 and I did not return to visit until 2003. I visited with Earl and was impressed by his determination to do the restoration as accurately as possible. In 1959 Vermillion was a town of commercial fishing and summer cottages. I was surprised at how little of the original appearance had in the passing years. I plan to go back again after the theater is completely restored and relive a few childhood memories.
I havent been up there in years. I used to go there in the 70’s sometimes to catch up on movies I missed on first run. It was a nice little theater. The trains werent too bothersome.
Since I’m in California it’s hard to keep up on my Ohio childhood haunts. Does anyone have any updated info on how the restoration is progressing on the Liberty. Thanks
It looks like there may be an art gallery in the theater space now:
http://tinyurl.com/6luv7f
http://tinyurl.com/6aekq2
http://www.theartseengallery.com/
This site has a circa 1935 (probably 1936) picture of the Liberty Theater.
In 1955 the Liberty had 252 seats.
The Liberty may have had only 252 seats when first opened, however the building was enlarged by adding to the back end. Not sure what year, but late 40s or early 50s. Seating after that was 507 in a long narrow auditorium. You can clerly see where the extension to the building started by looking at the outside walls.
1979 photo of the Liberty Theatre.
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1984 photo of the Liberty Theatre.
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Since Earl Haug listed this theater in 2002 there has been no restoration work done. I talked to him when I was on vacation in Vermillion in 2005 and he seemed very positive about the project at that time. It would now appear that he has closed up his storefront and different people have taken over. I’m afraid that the planned restoration may have been dropped. Anyone have any updated info?
From 2002 through 2006 we were able to make many improvements/upgrades to the building (electrical, doors, windows, HVAC, brickwork, etc.) but sad to say we were unable to complete the restoration and sold the building to a very nice local gentleman. We moved our retail store (The Music Box) to Olmsted Falls.