A look at the history of the Gloria Theatre

Gloria Theatre in Urbana, Ohio

Every small town needs a historic theatre. Urbana is home to a great theatre that continues to write its history with a great story to tell. A story that includes one of the great vaudeville actors, Billy Clifford. Born William Shyrigh.

​Billy ran away at the age of ten to join the circus, literally. Billy learned to sing and dance and eventually began to perform on stages across the country and the world with the likes of Buster Keaton.  

Billy eventually started his own performing troupe that would tour, and even had his own rail road car. Although Billy was a world traveler, he always called Urbana home. And when he wanted a place to rehearse with his troupe he looked to his hometown, and his own backyard. In 1905, Billy built the Clifford Theatre here in Urbana. Costing $75,000, the theatre was considered to be very modern for the time, with three floors and seating for 700. Unfortunately, the theatre was destroyed by a fire.

​Warren G. Grimes eventually bought the theatre and reconstructed it to what we have today. He renamed the theatre after his daughter, Gloria. The Gloria Theatre is now owned by the Grandworks Foundation and has gone through an extensive remodel, including a café, affectionally named The Clifford Railcar Café. Check out their website to get updates on the renovations and see what’s playing. 
​