Ohio Theatre
Also known as: 136 Park Avenue West
Why it's listed
Built in 1928 at 136 Park Avenue West, this movie palace sits on the western edge of downtown Mansfield. Its terra cotta-clad Neoclassical front has storefronts below and large Chicago-style windows above, separated by pairs of Corinthian pilasters. Behind the front, a plain brick block holds the 1,500-seat auditorium, which has a large chandelier, rich Neoclassical plasterwork and a good proscenium arch. The original marquee has been replaced and the storefronts modernized. The theatre reflects the commercial building boom that reshaped downtown Mansfield in the 1920s. It is one of two large movie palaces from that period and the only surviving theatre in the city with rich Neoclassical ornamentation; the other, the Madison, is Art Deco in style. Its facade matches that of the Palace Theater in Lorain, although the auditoriums differ. A non-profit civic organization acquired it and converted it into the Renaissance Theatre, a civic and cultural center, and it is widely regarded as one of the city's prime historic landmarks.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as evidence of the 1920s commercial building boom in downtown Mansfield. It is one of two large movie palaces from that period and the only surviving theatre in the city with rich Neoclassical ornamentation. Its interior detailing, especially the plasterwork, makes it an impressive example of theatre architecture.
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 83002040, listed May 31, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 136 Park Ave., W., Mansfield |
|---|---|
| County | Richland County |
| Listed | May 31, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83002040 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good inside and out. It is in theater use, and a non-profit civic organization has turned it into a civic and cultural center known as the Renaissance Theatre. Marginal profitability is noted as a threat. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.75900, -82.52102 (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 83002040.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7312448
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.