Property Record
515 W 2ND ST (AKA 513-515 W MAIN ST)
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Royal Theater |
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| Other Name: | Fay's Craft Shop |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 911 |
| Location (Address): | 515 W 2ND ST (AKA 513-515 W MAIN ST) |
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| County: | Ashland |
| City: | Ashland |
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| Year Built: | 1914 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | theater |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | West Second Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 2/2/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | ALTERED FIRST STORY. METAL CORNICE AND ENTABLATURE. INTACT CENTRAL ARCH WITH PILASTERS AND ADJACENT PEDIMENTED WINDOWS. CAST IRON CANOPY OVER ENTRY. GARNICH BLOCK FIRE OF 1914 MADE ROOM FOR THIS BLDG. SIGNIFICANCE: This 1914 pivotal brick theatre is significant as a local example of early teens theatre design that employed the popular Italian Renaissance Revivsl style for its grand appearance. Furthermore, the building represents Ashland's earlier interest in dramatic arts and entertainment such as formal dances and dramatic performances, that always took place in the center of downtown. The Royal Theatre was built only one year before the Ashland County Courthouse (#25) which is also designed in a severe Neo-Classical style. Othr pivotal Neo-Classical style buildings from this 1910-20 period that lend cohesiveness to the district are the Northern National Bank (#17) and the Union Natonal Bank (#31) both of which descend stylistically from the Royal Theatre. Two other West Second Street Theatres have been demolished; only the Royal Theatre and Bay Theatre (for motion pictures) remain. DESCRIPTION: Built of cream brick in 1912 (3) the Royal Theatre, once threatened with demolition and by a fire in the 1960s remains in fair condition with alterations to the first floor. The tall second story three-part symmetrical facade exhibits features of the Italian Renaissance Revival style, particularly the central arch framed by flat brick pilasters and the side rectangular pedimented windows, above which are smaller single rectangular openings with inset swag panels. The finely-detailed facade is united by the metal entablature that features a protruding metal cornice, which has a central eleptical arch, a paneled frieze and globes that stand over the central pilasters. Brownstone quoins remain intact at the sides. Other significant detailes include brownstone sills for the windows, and polychromatic ogee-molded bricks that frame the pilaster panels. An earlier cast iron canopy over the centray entry, once supported in part from the cast iron lion masks, had been removed. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |