Downtown in Marietta in Washington County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hippodrome & Colony Theatres
Photographed by Mark Parker, January 30, 2025
1. Hippodrome & Colony Theatres Marker, side one
The Peoples Bank Theatre, built in 1919 and called the Hippodrome, marks an age when movies transitioned from silent films and nickelodeons into a major national industry and pastime. Designed by Columbus architect Fred Elliott for the C&M (Cambridge and Marietta) Amusement Company, the theatre featured a granite archway, 1,200 seats, a 35-by-55-foot stage, an orchestra pit, and the first air conditioning of its kind in Marietta. The Hippodrome opened May 9, 1919 with the silent film Daddy Long Legs, starring Mary Pickford. Shea Theatres of New York bought the Hippodrome and remodeled it in 1949, replacing the Hippodrome's distinctive stone archway with a two-story southern colonial-style facade. Renamed the "Colony," it opened June 25, 1949, showing the Esther Williams' musical Neptune's Daughter. (Continued on other side)
(Continued from other side)
The theatre hosted stars including Boris Karloff, Kitty Wells, and Ernest Tubb. Rock Hudson appeared here for the world premiere of the 1957 film Battle Hymn, in which he portrayed Marietta native, Lt. Col. Dean Hess. Low attendance and high utility bills closed the
this page online
Erected 2019 by Hippodrome/Colony Historical Theatre Association and Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 23-84.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 8, 2016.
Location. 39° 24.963′ N, 81° 27.198′ W. Marker is in Marietta, Ohio, in Washington County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of 3rd Street (Ohio Route 7) and Putnam Street, on the right when traveling south
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 22, 2022
2. Hippodrome & Colony Theatres Marker, Reverse
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Unitarian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hippodrome/Colony Historic Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); On This Site (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlotte Scott (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); War Savings Stamps (about 300 feet away); Marietta Community Bus Stop (about 400
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 22, 2022
3. Hippodrome & Colony Theatres Marker
This view is from 3rd Street. It is on the right at the corner.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 10, 2020
4. Hippodrome & Colony Theatres Marker
The marker was previously located in the front window of the Stage Door on Putnam Street.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 10, 2020
5. In window before installation
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 576 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on June 7, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on February 3, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on May 10, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
