• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Presidential!We Are Generous!We Are Having Fun!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

John Eberson

By MarionMade! on July 6, 2017

JOHN EBERSON: DESIGNER OF THE PALACE THEATRE.
 .
Thousands of our MarionMade! boys and girls over the last 79 years would have no concept of what ‘Stage Right’ or ‘Break a Leg’ meant if it wasn’t for the efforts of John Eberson. This brilliant gentleman designed our own Palace Theatre in downtown Marion during the 1920’s.
 .
John Eberson was born in present day Ukraine in 1875 and studied electrical engineering at the University of Vienna. In 1901, he immigrated to the United States. Within a few years after coming to the United States, he became affiliated with the Johnson Realty & Construction Company, a theatre architecture and construction company. Eberson traveled throughout the eastern United States promoting opera houses in small towns. In 1904, he moved to Hamilton Ohio, where his first theatre, the Hamilton Jewel, was located.
 .
Most of Eberson’s theatres were in one of three styles: Atmospheric, Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. The Palace Theatre in Marion represents the Atmospheric style. This style strives to transport visitors to an exotic European courtyard or garden. Sadly, only sixteen of these Eberson’s Atmospheric theatres remain in operation today.
 .
In all, John Eberson designed close to 100 theatres located in small towns in dozens of states including: Tulsa,OK; Terre Haute, IN; Wichita, KS and of course Marion, just to name a few.
 .
Since 1928, Eberson’s design of the Palace Theatre has delighted the people of Marion and brought entertainment and culture to our town by giving many of our Marion Made residents countless performances and the opportunity to shine as entertainers. Eberson’s design of the Marion Palace Theatre is truly Marion Made and will be sure to bring entertainment and creative outlets to our residents for generations to come.
 .
#MarionMade #WeAreTheatre #WeAreHistory

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • American Red Cross

    THE AMERICAN RED CROSS The Marion County Historical Society is celebrating a century of local American Red Cross service with a special display in the Museum at Heritage Hall. Red Cross memorabilia and historical items will be on display throughout the summer at the Museum located at 169 E. Church St. in Marion. The exhibit […]Read More »
  • Local Foods

    HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? In Marion, Ohio, growing a garden that feeds the community is something that Dan Stewart from the Regional Planning Office can tell you all about. Because of his work through this department, he realized the need to provide healthy food options to the Marion area and he organized a non-profit […]Read More »
  • Stewart’s Root Beer Stand Celebrates 100th Year

    Despite the February chill, Stewart’s Root Beer Stand at 1036 North Main Street opened to a packed lot for its 100th season. “The root beer comes in an ice-cold mug. It’s even colder today!” said owner Michelle Whitaker with a smile. Just like the 1950s, car hops still bring the food right to your car […]Read More »
  • Fulfillment Corporation of America

    GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. Have you heard of Fulfillment Corporation of America (FCA), later known as Kable Fulfillment Services? Many today have not. The company was founded in Marion in 1948 by two forward thinking businessmen—Wendell Ward and Edwin (Jack) Kinter, who worked together in Chicago for Time Inc., developing a unique database management system […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image