Paramount Theater — 18 South Second Street, east side of Second between High and Court (now a bank parking lot), opposite historic Courthouse. Paramount, Hamilton’s most elegant theater, opened March 6, 1931, with 1,813 seats (1,483 on the main floor and 330 in the balcony). Building extended 90 feet along Second Street with a depth of 175 feet to Journal Square. The Eagle Theater at the northwest corner of Court Street and Journal Square was one of several buildings razed to permit construction of the Paramount. The new theater was designed by George Rapp and C. W. Rapp, theater architects, New York City. The Midland Co. of Cincinnati, headed by Frank Messer, was the general contractor. Its theater-building experience included the Albee, Palace, Keith, Cox, Capitol and Schubert theaters in Cincinnati. A newspaper described the Paramount interior as a “combination of the classic and modern period, with a dominant Italian Renaissance motif. The vaulted dome ceiling, as well as the series of attractive niches, artfully illuminated by concealed lights … Give maximum acoustic qualities.” The last show at the Paramount was Sept. 5, 1960. It was demolished in January 1961 to provide a parking lot adjacent to the Citizens Bank. Contrery to previous comments, it wasn’t part of an urban renewal project and wasn’t in a declining area.
Jefferson Theater — 123 South Second Street, west side of street between Court and Ludlow streets. Opened March 31, 1903, as a 1,600-seat playhouse, featuring traveling dramatic companies, musicals, vaudeville and later movies. Renamed Smith’s Theater April 21, 1903, three weeks after opening, when sold to Tom Smith. Renamed Jefferson Theater Feb. 17, 1914, when Smith sold it to John H. Broomhall and John Schwalm. Destroyed by fire Jan. 4, 1928.
Paramount Theater — 18 South Second Street, east side of Second between High and Court (now a bank parking lot), opposite historic Courthouse. Paramount, Hamilton’s most elegant theater, opened March 6, 1931, with 1,813 seats (1,483 on the main floor and 330 in the balcony). Building extended 90 feet along Second Street with a depth of 175 feet to Journal Square. The Eagle Theater at the northwest corner of Court Street and Journal Square was one of several buildings razed to permit construction of the Paramount. The new theater was designed by George Rapp and C. W. Rapp, theater architects, New York City. The Midland Co. of Cincinnati, headed by Frank Messer, was the general contractor. Its theater-building experience included the Albee, Palace, Keith, Cox, Capitol and Schubert theaters in Cincinnati. A newspaper described the Paramount interior as a “combination of the classic and modern period, with a dominant Italian Renaissance motif. The vaulted dome ceiling, as well as the series of attractive niches, artfully illuminated by concealed lights … Give maximum acoustic qualities.” The last show at the Paramount was Sept. 5, 1960. It was demolished in January 1961 to provide a parking lot adjacent to the Citizens Bank. Contrery to previous comments, it wasn’t part of an urban renewal project and wasn’t in a declining area.
Jefferson Theater — 123 South Second Street, west side of street between Court and Ludlow streets. Opened March 31, 1903, as a 1,600-seat playhouse, featuring traveling dramatic companies, musicals, vaudeville and later movies. Renamed Smith’s Theater April 21, 1903, three weeks after opening, when sold to Tom Smith. Renamed Jefferson Theater Feb. 17, 1914, when Smith sold it to John H. Broomhall and John Schwalm. Destroyed by fire Jan. 4, 1928.