Talladega: Ritz Theatre

Alabama has many movie palaces remaining from their golden age during the early 20th century and one is in Talladega. Built in 1936, the Ritz Theatre is a fine example of Depression-era Art Deco theaters. In 1997, the landmark was restored, including its distinctive façade made of opaque structural glass, a common construction material used during the Art Deco period. This was a time when the architectural glass industry became especially creative and introduced a series of new glass products. The restoration successfully matched the pigmented structural glass known as vitrolite that needed to be replaced. Originally called Martin Theatre, The Ritz reopened in 1998 as a performing arts center.

Photo Credit: Lewis Kennedy