Origins and Local Life in Columbus

This journey begins in 1871 with the opening of the Springer Opera House, a sophisticated performance hall designed by Daniel Matthew Foley. The Springer immediately transformed Columbus into a cultural destination, bringing world-class theater, music, and entertainment to a city still shaping its identity after the Civil War. Beyond its grand architectural presence, the Opera House provided a stage for local performers and visiting stars, establishing a foundation for artistic life that would endure for generations. Its survival into the present day reflects the pride Columbus places on its artistic heritage, preserving a living link to its 19th-century creative ambitions. As the Springer thrived, Columbus continued expanding economically, socially, and geographically.

That growing energy is captured in a photograph of Broad Street around 1900. Streetcars clattered through the center of town, early automobiles appeared beside horse-drawn carriages, and pedestrians filled the sidewalks on their daily routines. Businesses multiplied, and public transportation made the city more connected than ever. This bustling environment represented a community eager to modernize and experiment with new forms of entertainment. Broad Street embodied both ambition and accessibility, showing a city ready to embrace fresh cultural experiences and support the infrastructure needed to make them possible.

With that same forward-looking spirit, Columbus made a major artistic leap in 1907 through the founding of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. As the second funded orchestra in the entire United States, and the first in the South, the CSO stood as a remarkable achievement for a city of its size. The orchestra elevated the region’s artistic expectations by welcoming classically trained musicians and introducing audiences to European concert repertoire. These performances became a point of civic pride and a powerful symbol of Columbus’s commitment to creativity, education, and cultural leadership in the American South.

Demand for entertainment and expressive spaces continued to rise, especially within the city’s African American community whose cultural contributions were often overlooked. In response to this need, the Liberty Theatre opened in 1925. It served as the only theater in Columbus where Black residents could attend during segregation, providing a safe and valued public space. Here, audiences enjoyed silent films, vaudeville shows, and live musical performances featuring both local and touring talent. The Liberty nurtured a vibrant network of community gathering, artistic expression, and cultural resilience that strengthened Black identity during challenging social conditions. Through its programming and purpose, the theater ensured that the city’s artistic spirit remained diverse, inclusive, and deeply rooted in community life.

Only two years later, Columbus took another step in expanding its entertainment landscape with the opening of the Royal Theatre in 1927. Built by Roy E. Martin with more than 2,700 seats, the Royal was one of the largest and most modern theaters in the region. It quickly became a favorite destination for moviegoers, drawing crowds with premiere screenings, lavish interior design, and advanced cinema technology of the era. Through the mid-20th century, the Royal shaped social life in Columbus by offering a shared place for enjoyment, imagination, and celebration. When movie attendance declined in the 1950s, the theater transitioned into The Three Arts Theater, a new identity that shifted the focus toward live performances and community arts. This change echoed national trends in historic preservation, where older venues found renewed purpose by returning to the stage and supporting local artistic activity.