Lima in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ohio Theater

Arts & Culture • Lima, OH

— Lima's Local History Hunt —

Ohio Theater Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 24, 2026

1. Ohio Theater Marker

Inscription. The Ohio Theatre was built in 1927 by the Schine Corporation. With its ornate detailing, Corinthian columns, and dazzling Italianate flourishes, the Ohio Theatre was conceived to be a lavish "movie place" and stage for vaudeville. As Lima grew in prominence, the theatre became a notable landmark, attracting popular entertainers like Bob Hope. Throughout the decades, the Ohio Theatre has adapted with ongoing trends, becoming a movie theater in the 1970s and a disco nightclub by the end of the decade. Its legacy lives on as a treasured piece of Lima's story, reflecting both the city's rich past and its evolving future.

Erected 2026 by America 250-Ohio Commission. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the America 250: Ohio Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 40° 44.565′ N, 84° 6.359′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. It is at the intersection of West North Street (Ohio Route 81) and North

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Elizabeth Street, on the right when traveling west on West North Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 W North St, Lima OH 45801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

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 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 Old Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Old Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen County, Ohio (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Allen County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Allen County Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); The Met Block (about 300 feet away);

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 24, 2026

2. Ohio Theater Marker

Ohio's First Electric Street Car Line (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lima.

Also see . . . Lima's Local History Hunt. (Submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

Ohio Theater image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 24, 2026

3. Ohio Theater

America 250-Ohio Commission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by America 250-Ohio Commission

4. America 250-Ohio Commission

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 18 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.