The City of Thomasville is seeking the community’s help to locate the original Ritz Theatre sign. The original Ritz Theatre was located at 323 West Jackson Street in the area known as “The Bottom” and served as the main entertainment center for African American residents and surrounding communities for many years. In the early 90s, The Ritz Theatre was demolished due to the instability of the structure and the cost of restoration, but the sign was saved.
City of Thomasville staff have been working closely with Mr. Jack Hadley of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum to locate the sign with plans to install it in the West Jackson Street area. Efforts to locate the sign have been unsuccessful, and City staff are now calling on the community to help locate it. The sign is estimated to be 12’ – 14’ in height and has neon lighting.
If you have any information about the sign, please contact Andy Goodwin, Director of Economic Development, at 229-227-3316, or email Andrew.Goodwin@thomasville.org.