History of the Strand Theater Building
This building sets on a parcel of land that was once owned by Levi Blakeslee. He was an early pioneer that owned and operated a leather tanning business on Broad Street where the Methodist Church now sets. An early structure on this property was the home of Maggie Koplin who at one time opened a hotel in her home.
The Koplin home was replaced by this current brick structure in 1915. It was built to house two small theaters and a small bowling alley. It was called the Broad Street Theatre. The front part of the east end of the building was the location of the Jackson Brother’s Barber Shop.
In 1920 the two theatres and bowling alley were combined into one large theater. John L. Damm purchased this facility in March 1922 and added a stage with a pipe organ. He renamed this entertainment center the Strand Theater.
In October, 1962 Gary Greive purchased the theater. He kept the name and it was a very popular entertainment center for adults and Wadsworth’s youth through the 60’s and into the 70’s. The theater was closed by Mr. Greive in the late 70’s as he built the Great Oak Cinemas on Great Oaks Drive on the newly developed land in the north end of town.
Kevin Sir Louis eventually purchased the decomposing building and remodeled into the building it is today. The famous exterior marquee was salvaged and now proudly advertises current events. The slanted theater floor was leveled and now houses a banquet room.