About the Logan Theater
Located in downtown Logan, the theater building was built in 1925 as a Masonic Lodge Temple and known as the Knights of Pythias Building. The theater’s opening night was Nov. 1, 1926, to a capacity crowd who watched “Jolly Tars” and “The Campus Flirt.”
Phil Chakeres leased the building in 1936 and later purchased it in 1948. In its heyday, the theater presented Vaudeville performances, singers, cowboy entertainers, famous live performers and movies. Sammy Davis, Jr. performed on stage when he was a child.
Chakeres decided to close the theater in Logan, but there was one last short-lived attempt at keeping the movie theater open. The last movie to be shown in the building was “Unforgiven” in 1992.
In 2018, Logan Town Center, with a generous individual contribution and support from Citizens Bank of Logan (now Merchant’s National Bank), purchased the building with the vision of restoring the building to a vital part of the community as a theater and community center. From this, the nonprofit organization of Logan Theater, Inc. was born, with a fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio to support fundraising efforts.
Plans are to renovate the theater for the community and visitors to enjoy movies and live performances. The goal is to maintain the heritage and nostalgia of the building along with updating the technology for such systems as sound, lighting and environmental control.
Visit the Logan Theater website for updated information on the restoration of this community landmark and gathering space.
Support the Logan Theater Fund
Gifts to the Logan Theater Fund are tax-deductible and can be made in many ways, including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, royalties, insurance beneficiaries and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs.
To mail your donation, please designate the fund and mail to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, 35 Public Square, Nelsonville, OH 45764.
Donations can be made online by designating the Logan Theater Fund when donating.