Ohio Theatre
Why it's listed
Completed in 1928 at 39 East State Street in Columbus, the Ohio Theatre is a brick building with a stone-faced facade, about two hundred feet square and nearly eight stories tall. Its exterior is fairly severe, with embellishment limited to the north side, where a recessed entrance occupies the center three bays of a five-bay front. Inside, a nearly three-story lobby, a crystal chandelier, gesso wall decoration, gilt ornament and original brocade curtains create an elaborate setting. The theater was designed by Scottish-born architect Thomas White Lamb. Its Robert Morton pipe organ, called the "Mighty Morton", is described as one of the finest in the nation. In 1969 the owner of the theater chain sold it to a holding company that threatened demolition, but a public fund drive allowed the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts to buy it for $1.8 million. The association then worked to restore the interior to its original condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the most magnificent theaters of its type in the United States, with an ornate interior of gesso and gilt decoration and near-perfect acoustics. It highlights the Robert Morton pipe organ known as the "Mighty Morton". It also credits a public fund drive with saving the theater from demolition in 1969.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73001437, listed April 11, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 39 E. State St., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | April 11, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001437 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 20th Century (built 1928) |
| Architect / builder | Thomas White Lamb |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 5, 1977 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition and occupied, in entertainment use; the owner was restoring remaining interior decoration to its original appearance at the time of nomination. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 39.95987, -82.99932 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73001437.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7080981
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.