Parkersburg's Smoot Theater

The Smoot Theater was built in 1926 by the Smoot Amusement Company as a vaudeville theater.  In 1930, it was purchased by the Warner Brothers corporation, redecorated, and renovated into use as a movie theater.

The Smoot had been active as a movie theater for 56 years, when it was slated for demolition in 1986 and closed down.  Mere days before it was to be destroyed in 1989, the theater was purchased on land grant by a group of volunteers who have restored the theater to its original state, and reopened it as a performing arts center.

Like many theaters of this era, the Smoot is said to be home to paranormal activity, including strange sounds and shadows coming from behind the curtain late at night, unexplained technical and electrical problems, and a cold spot.  However, the current management denies these claims, which are already flimsy at best.  If anyone has any additional information on this location, please contact me!

Smoot Theater Homepage