The 1940s were a period of change, driven by war and all of the innovations and technology that resulted from it. Across the country, experimentation took place with new building materials designed to meet dramatic construction demand while providing aesthetic appeal at the same time.
One such new material was what is often referred to as porcelain enameled steel. This product was created through the fusing of powdered glass to a metal, with the powder melting, flowing, and then hardening to form a durable coating. When done with steel, it made a resilient material which was decorative as well as strong.
One common use of porcelain enameled steel was in the manufacture of Lustron houses, the Columbus-based product designed to meet the needs of young families in post-World War II America. Some 3,000 Lustron Homes were built, including a handful in Galion. The same steel product was used for diners and restaurants, often accompanied by neon and other lighting fixtures.
On a handful of occasions, porcelain enameled steel was used for the facades of movie theatres. The Galion Theatre, constructed in 1949, has arguably one of the finest surviving theatre façades and marquees in the country constructed out of this material. In the hands of the Galion Community Theatre, the marquee has been returned to original working order. This includes both the neon lights, but the highly unusual porcelain enameled steel “columns” that rise to the undulating “roof” of the marquee, each containing neon lights that in turn reflect off the green porcelain enameled steel front.
These past few days, another Ohio porcelain enameled steel theatre facade is being painstakingly uncovered in a complete façade restoration for the Quaker Theatre in New Philadelphia. The facade has pale yellow and green panels which are going to be taken apart, cleaned, repaired, and re-installed.
A recent picture of the Quaker Theatre renovation is below.
