Marlow Theatre
Also known as: Law-137-08
Why it's listed
Built around 1920 on a downtown Ironton corner, this Neo-Classical Revival building combines a four-story brick commercial block with an attached three-story theater. Blonde brick, stone string courses, corner pilasters and a carved stone shield over the theater entry define its exterior. The theater opened on Christmas Day, 1920, and closed in 1952. It was designed for silent films, with space for a live orchestra and occasional touring acts. Inside, the stage, proscenium arch, balcony and plaster detailing survive, while the ground-floor storefronts were altered after the theater closed and again around 1980. Upper floors retain early twentieth century apartments with original wood floors, doors and trim. The building was listed for its role in the city's commercial and entertainment life during the 1920s, when Ironton's economy was diversifying after the decline of the iron industry. It also represents the combination commercial/theater building type, and it is the last such building remaining in Ironton.
Significance in brief: The building is significant under Criterion A for its contribution to entertainment and commerce in Ironton. Under Criterion C it is a well-preserved example of a late 19th to early 20th century combination commercial/theater building type, and it is the last of that type left in Ironton. It also shows Neo-Classical Revival styling.
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 08000149, listed March 6, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S. 3rd & Park Sts., Ironton |
|---|---|
| County | Lawrence County |
| Listed | March 6, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000149 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1920-1952 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Classical Revival (Neo-Classical Revival) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Ground floor currently used as commercial space, including a news/convenience store. Upper floors and interior finishes are deteriorated, and the theater closed in 1952. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.53422, -82.68512 (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 08000149.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q43161850
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.