Ottawa Memorial Auditorium
301 S. Hickory Street,
Ottawa,
KS
66067
301 S. Hickory Street,
Ottawa,
KS
66067
No one has favorited this theater yet
Related Websites
Ottawa Memorial Auditorium (Official)
Additional Info
Architects: George P. Washburn
Functions: Live Performances
Styles: Classical Revival
Phone Numbers:
Manager:
785.242.8810
Nearby Theaters
Built in 1919 as a memorial to World War I dead, this large 1,500-seat municipal auditorium was used for various civic events.
It had the capacity to show films, and the Auditorium is listed in the 1932 and 1933 Yearbooks. It is listed as closed in 1934. Films when shown were likely only occasional.
The Auditorium was damaged by the 1951 flood, and fell into disrepair over the years. In 1974, it was declared unsafe and closed. The citizens approved funding to restore it, and it reopened in 1978.
Listed as a contributing structure to the Historic Ottawa Central Business District in 2008, the Auditorium today is used for live performances and speakers, with conference space available.
Contributed by
Seth Gaines
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
Capacity listed is the current capacity. The Yearbooks listed it as 1,500. It was likely reduced during the renovations in the ‘70s.
George P. Washburn (1846-1922) was a prolific local architect. His office at 413 S Main is a charming Victorian eclectic structure. He mainly produced civic designs, with 9 Carnegie libraries and 13 courthouses to his credit.