Pastime Theatre

Barberton’s first Pastime Theatre appears was operating with motion pictures in 1908 at 82 S. Main Street in downtown and was joined by the Rondo Theatre, the Gem Theatre, the Family Theatre and later the transformed Grand Opera House to theatre. So successful was the Pastime Theatre, that owner Charles J. Wowra. Wowra decided to build a new Pastime Theatre. Launching in December of 1921, the 250-seat Pastime Theatre was recognizable by its terra cotta front still apparent in the 21st Century.

Converting to sound, Wowra still remained true to the silent medium playing silents two days a week though 1932. Wowra sold the theatre to Nate Schultz of Selected Pictures Corp. Circuit of Cleveland in 1935 who modernized the theatre and increasing to 350 seats.

The last big film event was a reserved seating engagement of “Gone With the Wind”. But the Pastime Theatre was surpassed by new theatres and became a suburn double feature house prior to is closure January 19, 1947 for conversion to retail.

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