Saving the Abandoned Fairborn Theatre | Fairborn Ohio | Urban Exploring (2020)
23,314
Published 2020-06-24
The town of Fairborn was created by combining the villages of Fairfield and Osborne within Greene County, Ohio. The Fairborn Theater was the first local business to use the town's new name. The City of Fairborn is an Air-Force Community located near Wright Patterson AFB. This beautiful Ohio theatre was built in 1948. "Where There's Life " was the first film shown at this huge 1000 seat Chakeres theater. Originally built and operated as a single screen theater, in 1970 it was remodeled to have 2 screens. At this time it was renamed to the Fairborn Twin Cinema.
From 1948 until 2000 the theater was operated by Chakeres. After sitting vacant for 2 years Chakeres Theaters donated the theatre to the Fairborn Arts Organization. Over a ten-year period, the organization successfully mitigated the asbestos and removed the dividing wall. This restored the theater to its original 1000 seat, single screen, orientation. In 2005 the theatre was added as one of Ohio's Historic Sites.
After years of stalled efforts 2 friends, Jordan Terrell and Chris Morse decided to lead the fight to save the derelict Fairborn Theater. This is the mission of the newly formed Fairborn Phoenix Foundation 503c Non-Profit Organization. Both Jordan and Chris graduated from Fairborn High School and have witnessed first hand as their classmates battled opioid addiction. Jordan is a documentary filmmaker who premiered his story of 2 brothers, “HEROINOHIO," in the abandoned Fairborn Theatre. If you are looking for things to do in Fairborn, Ohio keep an eye out for upcoming events at this historic Ohio theater.
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Check out information about Jordan's film at heroinohio.com/
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Sources
www.dayton.com/news/special-reports/historic-theat…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairborn_Theatre
All Comments (21)
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I hope everyone liked this video. We are excited to work with more property owners to help restore these beautiful places. Please consider donating, even just a dollar to save this theatre by going to paypal.me/FbnPhoenix
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the phone booth! oh my god just had flashbacks of calling my mom collect from that little room and going "moviesovercomepickemeup" as my name lol.
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The room upstairs with the shower was a locker room for the ushers. The projector shown in the video came from the now gone Page Manor cinemas next to Wright Patt AFB. It was not original to the Fairborn. Fairborn would have used carbon arc projectors when they first opened until around 1960's when Xenon bulbs took its place. The large generator looking piece of equipment in the booth is left over from the carbon arc days. It is an rectifier which converted AC power to DC for the carbon arc projector. The main lobby use to have a large crystal chandelier. The marquee use to stick out further. It was cut back when the road was widen. There is a picture of that in the video. The original mural that was in the inner lobby just before you enter the theatre is now at the Fairborn senior citizen center. The "separator" located in a small closet off the stage towards the end of the video was actually a but in vacuum system. There would be numerous places for a hose to be attached to to vacuum the floor.
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I watched The Rescuers there in the 70s.
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I grew up in the Fairborn area (lived next door in Enon, OH) and saw many movies at the Fairborn theatre as a kid. It closed down right after I graduated HS. Amazing to see how fast a building can deteriorate. :(
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I was stationed at WPAFB 1978-82, used to see movies there, including Apocalpyse Now. Their sound system was incredible! Good times! Thanx for taking me back.
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Wow, nice production on this one guys.
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I am glad they are saving this building. Needs quite a bit of work but will be worth it in the end. Have a great day
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I remember the round red plush velvet central seat in the lobby- it felt like it was magic!
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Great video as always. We live in Fairborn and are looking forward to the theater coming back to life. Such great interesting architecture you can no longer find. I watched this video with my wife and it brought back lots of memories for her. She commented that the material on the walls used to be purple. Thanks again for the great video.
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I'm a former head projectionist for a small theater chain in Atlanta (now gone) I watch these videos and nobody ever gets what things in the booth really are. Mostly because nobody, other than theater people, really knows how it works in the booth. I would bring people up to show them and they were always wowed that it didn't work anything like they thought it did.
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The large motor looking device around the 12:00 minute mark is part of the unit that generated DC current to power the carbon arc projection lights of the older original projectors. Theaters moved away from the carbon arc projector lights when other options became available such as Xenon bulbs. I've operated both types. Carbon arc lights were a trip to operate.
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good to see a historic theater brought back to life
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That was super awesome. Loved the theater. Hope all goes well for the guys restoration. Thanks for sharing 😃👍
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The second I saw that mysterious logo you referred to, I assumed it was a funky globe map of North & South America. Just a thought. Great video as always!
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This is an iconic theatre. With a profound history! It should be on the historic record! I lived in whats now called Riverside! I went so many times I couldn't tell you! It was so elegant. It was a classy place!
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I am so glad you are doing this wonderful project- this will do so much to invigorate the community. I grew up in Fairborn and have such sweet memories of the community!!
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Yes! The dome in the entrance was bright red neon — and it was a warm welcoming glow. I remember seeing “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at the Fairborn Theater.
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That was a really great explore. So glad they are bringing her back to life. Nice of y'all to help them out. They sure have their work cut out with that place.
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I had been wondering about the tiled water fountains when the video then showed them. Pleasantly surprised at their condition! Also, as I remember from very young (82 maybe?, I was definitely toddler) the original counter for the concessions was flush with the walls, and not a curved counter top. And I know this wasn't the first movie i saw there, but my most clear movie memory was watching Beetlejuice with my family. Again, if I recall correctly, even when I was in high school (early to mid 90's) tickets were only $2-3?? I'm excited to see what happens with the theater, I will stay tuned! Thanks for showcasing this gem of Fairborn History!
