History of Central Center
Historic photographs and stories from Chillicothe’s west side.
Historic photographs
The Del-Ar drive-in
The Del-Ar Auto Theatre opened near Delano Avenue and Arch Street in 1950. It held about 400 cars and had a patio for walk-in moviegoers. Cinema Treasures records its closing in November 1957. A commercial listing gives 1954 as a construction year for Central Center, and the sequence of development across the property is still being researched.
Del-Ar history · Central Center property listing
Shops people remember
Big Bear, Gray Drugs, Sparkle Cleaners, and Central Cinema are among the names associated with the center over the years. One local writer remembers spinning red stools at the Woolworth’s lunch counter, Coke floats, grilled cheese, and shopping for 45 RPM records.
Read the Woolworth’s recollection
Share a memory
Have an old photo, advertisement, or story about Central Center? We’d love to hear from you.
Email the association