Look Back: Theater gives way to The Smoot
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Hippodrome to Be Torn Down Starting Mar. 29; Will Build The Smoot
Next week will mark the closing of the Hippodrome theater which will be torn down and on its present site on Fifth street will be erected one of the most modern playhouses in West Virginia. Announcement was made several months ago by the Smoot Amusement Company that the Hippodrome would be demolished and a new theater erected on its site.
For many years the Hippodrome has been a popular amusement house and its vaudeville and pictures have attracted a large attendance year in and year out. Its passing, while it is in keeping with the progress of the city, will be regretted greatly as it has become an integral part of the city and was regarded as a landmark.
In its stead however will be constructed a new theater to be known as The Smoot Theater which will show only the finest productions and Keith vaudeville, known throughout the country as the highest type of vaudeville on any of the circuits. It will seat 1,100 persons and will be erected at a cost of approximately $150,000. The contract for the erection of the Smoot has been let to Berry Brothers contractors at a bid of $94,200, but it is estimated that when finally completed it will cost $150,000.
Manager R.J. Hiehle next week will have an excellent vaudeville production with a number of fine pictures to mark the close of the Hippodrome. He has given special attention to securing the shows for next week and expects large crowds all week.
Mr. Hiehle will manage the Smoot which will contain a large lower floor and a commodious balcony. It will be equipped with the most modern and up-to-date theater effects and the seating arrangements will be such that the ease and comforts of the patrons in addition to the view of the stage from the theater will be well provided for.
Work on dismantling the Hippodrome will begin March 29 and the contract provides for the completion of the new theater by October. Plans for caring for the patrons of the Hipp during the work time on the Smoot is going on have not been announced.
The Parkersburg News
March 19, 1926
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The excerpt that follows was Town and Country by Albert J. Woofter and appeared in the May 31, 1987 issue of The Parkersburg News:
Parkersburg's first really elegant legitimate theater was the Auditorium at Fifth and Avery streets in the building now occupied [formerly] by the Parkersburg Office Supply Co. Clay Clemens, a notable star of the period, brought in his repertory company for the opening performances Oct. 30-31, 1896. Contemporary newspaper accounts showed that the public was impressed by the acting of Clemens in "The Bells" as well as the lavish scenery and the citizens who sat in the boxes. Not least was the lighting by both gas and electricity. The Auditorium continued in operation until 1919, often in intensive competition to the newer Camden Theater, located on the west side of the 700 block of Market Street, opening Oct. 12, 1902, with Frank Daniels starring in 'Miss Simplicity.'
Note: The Camden Theater burned in the morning of Nov. 30, 1929, taking with it several business buildings on the west side of the 700 block of Market Street. The headline in the Dec. 1, 1929 issue of The Parkersburg News read: Flames Gut Buildings in Market St.; Seventh to Eighth; Seventh, Market to Alley; Estimate Loss at 1 ½ Million. Bitter Weather Handicaps Firemen in Their Struggle to Save Business Section.
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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.