Clarksburg in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Ritz Theatre
Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 17, 2024
1. Ritz Theatre Marker
The Ritz Theatre was built on the site of three former theaters. The Victoria Theater, a vaudeville house, was built in 1911 and renamed the Palace in 1915. In 1921, the Gillis family purchased and renamed it the Gillis Theater and operated it as a movie theater. The Gillis family had formerly owned the successful Bijou Theater on West Main Street, where a second Orpheum Theater would open in the early 1920s. The Gillis Theater was demolished in 1927.
The Ritz Theatre was built by Jack Marks and opened on October 31, 1927, with 1,200 seats. On August 1, 1930, it was taken over by Warner Brothers Circuit Management Corporation. The Ritz was remembered by many youths for its Saturday matinees with adventure films, comedies, and westerns. It was the only theater showing restricted films at the time. Russell Lopez was the last operator. It was closed on April 1, 1973, and was demolished in January 1974. The Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library, which was built in 1975, sits on the site of the former Ritz Theatre.
Erected by The Clarksburg History Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic
this page online
Location. 39° 16.848′ N, 80° 20.452′ W. Marker is in Clarksburg, West Virginia, in Harrison County. It is on West Pike Street west of South 4th Street, on the left when traveling west. West Pike Street is a one-way street that only heads west at this location. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 404 West Pike Street, Clarksburg WV 26301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Little Kanawha Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Moore Opera House / Orpheum Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Waldomore / Nathan Goff (within shouting distance of this marker); 1795 Spanish Cannon (within shouting distance
Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 17, 2024
2. Ritz Theatre Marker
Regarding Ritz Theatre. Marker includes a photo of the Ritz Theatre and is located directly across the street from the Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 20, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
