COSHOCTON – A documentary showing Coshocton in the past has been digitized, with public screenings planned before being posted on social media. And its content is different from what was initially believed.

“The Coshocton Story” A 35mm film was recently found inside two film canisters at 1802 Chestnut St. in a now-demolished house once owned by the late Jim Hale. 538MainSt. He was the manager of the Entertainment Theater in the Chacos Building at . Coshocton Collaborationa makerspace and business incubator. The theater is also planned to be restored once funding is provided.

The Coshocton County Reuse Corporation, commonly known as the land bank, took possession of the dilapidated and vacant house on Chestnut Street following the murder there. Brianna Ratliff in April 2021. While walking through the house, Mayor Mark Mills discovered two tin film canisters with the film’s title on them.

Without a 35mm projector to play the film, Mills looked for a company that could transfer the film to a digital file. Chicago Scanning in Chicago, Illinois, recently completed the transfer to two USB devices. The conversion cost was $745.97 plus $57.76 for shipping, with financing coming from the land bank.

An old newspaper clipping discovered by Coshocton County Treasurer Janette Donaker said the film was last shown at the Pastime Theater in 1970 and was made in 1940.

Landmarks and buildings recognizable in the film

However, after viewing the film, Mills and Security Service Director Max Crown believe it was shot around Christmas 1968 or 1969, based on some of the landmarks, buildings, and car makes and models seen in the approximately 20-minute short.

Crown said the move was in black and white and included music and voice-over narration. Former Sheriff Bill Hoop was visible and the focus was on local schools, Mills said. Mills also found it interesting that the film ends with a shot of a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, since Mills was the restaurant’s manager at one point.

“Max and I decided that the movie was actually to persuade parents to go to the movies, because there are so many from schools,” Mills said. “We got to know the people, not a lot, but we got to know some.”

Mills wants to do a fundraising screening. A location and charity need to be chosen. He suggested Shelby Theaters in Downtowner Plaza or artPARK on Main Street. After that, Mills wants to post it for free viewing on YouTube and social media outlets.

“There are shots downtown and different areas. It’s very nostalgic,” Mills said about the documentary. “The biggest thing is the attraction to the Baby Boomers.”

Leonard Hayhurst is community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune, has more than 16 years of local journalism experience and has received numerous awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or [email protected]. Follow him @llhayhurst on X (formerly Twitter).

This article first appeared in the Coshocton Tribune: A documentary about Coshocton in the 1960s has been digitized: What’s next?