In a recent article I dug into some history of the McCook shopping center, the first suburban-style commercial strip in Dayton. In that piece I mentioned that two major tenants were a theater and a bowling alley, and here I will share their histories in more detail.
The 1957 image below depicts the McCook Bowl to the right, with the marquee and the McCook Theater visible behind it, both of which opened in 1941.
Both buildings have been demolished today, with the former theater being razed around 2013 and the bowling alley biting the dust in 2025 after a long period of abandonment.
McCook Theater History
The theater at 1267 North Keowee Street opened in 1941. At the time it was called Dayton’s “newest, most beautiful theater” with “soft, indirect lighting and (a) modulated color combination” as well as air conditioned comfort…