Lakeside in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Orchestra Hall

Lakeside Heritage Trail

— Lakeside Chautauqua 150 Years 1873 - 2023 —

Orchestra Hall Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025

1. Orchestra Hall Marker

Inscription. Lakeside's movie house has provided entertainment since 1928.

Erected 2023 by Lakeside Heritage Society. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 41° 32.686′ N, 82° 44.993′ W. Marker is in Lakeside, Ohio, in Ottawa County. It is at the intersection of West 2nd Street and Walnut Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 W 2nd St, Lakeside Marblehead OH 43440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore

and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

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: The Brick Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Carrie Barge Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Green Gables (within shouting distance of this marker); Donald & Coralen Bettinger Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Bettinger Park Basketball Courts (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carroll Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Administration Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lakeside.

Also see . . .

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1. Welcome to the Lakeside Heritage Trail. One hundred and fifty years ago, the founders of Lakeside stood on the shores of Lake Erie envisioning a place for the faithful to gather in community. Since then, millions of people have been beckoned to this beautiful, peaceful sanctuary to deepen their connection to Lakeside’s timeless mission…

To enrich the quality of life for all people, to foster traditional Christian values, and to nurture relationships through opportunities for renewal and growth – spiritually, intellectually, culturally and physically – while preserving Lakeside’s heritage.

With the new year, we welcome Lakeside’s 150th Anniversary – a time to honor the past, celebrate the present and look to the future. This exciting Sesquicentennial Celebration connects us to the mission through enriching religious life programs, educational lectures, cultural arts performances and recreational activities. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

2. 5. Orchestra Hall. Then
Built in 1928, Orchestra Hall was constructed to meet the growing need for entertainment and meeting space within the Lakeside grounds. Architect Granville E. Scott of Norwalk, Ohio designed the building to follow the mission revival architectural style of Lakeside’s newly erected Administration building (erected in 1921 during Arthur B. Jones’ administration)

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025

2. Orchestra Hall Marker

and the Women’s Home Missionary Society Lodge (Wo-Ho-Mis, also opened in 1928). Common construction features included tinted stucco exterior finishes and tile roofs. Erected at a cost of $40,000, Orchestra Hall featured a 25’ x 12’ stage that was large enough to accommodate plays, concerts and musical performances. The building boasted seating for approximately 500 people, velvet curtains, soft light sconces and cutting edge motion picture equipment.

Orchestra Hall reached capacity at its dedication held on July 4th, 1928 and the building was touted as a “new playhouse for the visitors of Ohio’s Chautauqua.” Two musical numbers by the Lakeside Assembly Orchestra and the showing of the silent film “Old Glory” were offered as part of the dedication ceremony. In the years following its dedication, Orchestra Hall continued to be a popular space for organization meetings, performances and entertainment. Movies were shown in the theater weekly during the summer seasons. In 1930, talking picture equipment was purchased, making Orchestra Hall an even more prominent feature of the Lakeside community.

Now
Since its construction, Orchestra Hall has undergone a number of renovations to keep the historic structure operational. 1986 renovations included the replacement of drapes and shutters, installation of an acoustical ceiling and several chandeliers. The Fire and Ice

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Project was completed in 1996, adding heat and air conditioning to the building.

Many generous Lakeside families and friends also sponsored the Orchestra Hall Enhancement Project in 2011. Project funds were used to install new projection equipment and a custom-made movie screen. Today, Orchestra Hall continues to offer weekly movies during the summer and the building’s air conditioning makes it the perfect place to escape the summer heat. Religious and educational programs, meetings and special events also are regularly hosted in the building throughout Lakeside’s season. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.