National Theater
8th Street and Depot Street,
Cincinnati,
OH
45204
8th Street and Depot Street,
Cincinnati,
OH
45204
1 person
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Additional Info
Architects: James R. Stewart, Robert W. Stewart
Firms: Stewart & Stewart
Previous Names: State Theater
Nearby Theaters
Located at 8th Street and Depot Street, this was owned by the Shakespeare family. A small theater, it opened on June 26, 1912 in a conversion of a carriage factory to the plans of architectural firm Stewart & Stewart. It played double features, serials, newsreels, comics.
The National Theater was closed in 1952 and was demolished in 1953.
Contributed by
David Hamilton
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
I found a West-end Family Theater at West 8th.&State Street built in 1913 perhaps it changed names later in its film runs.
Just an empty lot now.
The National Th. was managed and owned by Mr&Mrs.Shakespeare(no joke). The site picture shows a parking lot on the right hand side of the screen ,that’s the former site.
The National Theatre was started by Waldorf Amusement, a fledgling company which was converting horse-centric operations inexpensively into movie theaters. The National Theatre was their first such effort as they converted a carriage factory to the plans of Stewart and Stewart. It launched June 26, 1912 at 2116-8 Eighth Street. The company would also launch its Freeman Theatre in a converted livery on September 12, 1912. Both theaters converted to Movietone sound in 1929 and again to Western Electric sound in 1930 to play talkies. The National was the longest lasting for Waldorf and operator Joseph G. Shakespeare who passed away June 4, 1952. The theatre closed not long after his passing and was demolished.