Diamond Theater
A former church became a place for vaudeville and early movies, remembered by a marker near the Diamond.
A theater above the shops
The Rotary marker recalls the conversion of the First United Presbyterian Church in 1907, with shops downstairs and a theater upstairs. Initially called the Bijou and later the Diamond, it combined vaudeville with short motion pictures. This was an era when an evening’s entertainment could mix live performers and moving images rather than center on a single feature film.
Read the city through its changing uses
The story gives the Diamond another layer: familiar downtown corners have held very different kinds of activity. Look for the marker near Market and Fifth, then compare this smaller theater story with the nearby Ceramic and State theaters. These are historical sites to explore from public areas, not listings for operating cinemas.
Before you go
- The photograph records the marker at its capture date; confirm present access and condition before a special trip.
- Use public sidewalks or permitted park paths, and follow posted access rules.
Story sources
Published story & visitor information ↗
Story reviewed 2026-10-04. Confirm current access directly.