The remains of the Palmetto Theater looks about like the Carolina Theatre’s lobby area which is gone. I know that Myrtle Beach has the Palace Theatre, but wondered why it isn’t listed for theatres in South Carolna. Many years ago the RCMH Christmas Spectacular was at the Palace.
The exact quote from the Carolina Theatre Timeline (Oct 1988) is “City Fair opens but work is halted due to escalating cost. City Fair has already gutted the building removing almost all the decorative and ornate objects from the theatre. The stage area is rebuilt to accommodate the planned seating area for the restaurant. Carly Capital Co. who owns City Fair talks city into de-listing theatre from local historic register. The steel beams that were needed for the restaurant would not fit through the old lobby so it had to be torn down.” Now this is truly unbelieveable and almost made me faint when I read it! In Sept 1982 the Carolina was placed on the local Historic Register only to be “de-listed” in 1988 so it was on the list for a short 6 years!
The photo on this page unfortunately doesn’t show the portion of the theatre with it’s wonderful green Spanish tile slanted roof as trees are in the way so if you are in the Charlotte area and haven’t really looked at the original front roof facade of the Carolina that still exists, I urge you to stop and take a good long look. Thanks to Charlie C. he has shared with me some of the important Carolina history and now I know, in part, why the lobby section is gone……when City Fair was involved and going to go proceed with their plans for the theatre they needed to bring in some steel beams and in the process realized they couldn’t get them inside so they removed the lobby section! I can’t find the exact quote, but that comes close to what I read.
Thomas: I can’t bring up the site you mentioned on June 2002 about the article that appeared in the Independent Tribune concerning the fund raiser for the Carolina. Perhaps you or Charlie C. can enlighten me about this and why there hasn’t been other fund raisers since then…..it’s time! I suppose the site isn’t available now because that fundraiser is old news, but a new fundraiser needs to be present news!
I read that The Sound of Music was at this theatre. It was also at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte (read about that one if you haven’t yet). TSOM ran for many weeks and broke record attendances!
“Probably most notably were the Blatt brothers who during their prime owned approximately 25 theatres in the Western New York area.” This quote interests me and if anyone can tell me if they owned the demolished Grand Theatre in Westfield NY at one time I would appreciate it. Thanks.
I see that this theatre history mentions the Blatt Brothers and I was wondering if anyone could help with additional information concerning the Blatt name in connection to other theatres around the country? Thank you.
My friend’s information shows that the theatre closed June 23, 1964 but I do recall going to a movie with my husband in the 1980’s. It also goes on to say that the theatre changed hands in 1962 and that construction began February 26, 1941 and that it opened July 16th, 1941. Demolition is shown as being August 13, 1992.
Warren: Where did you find the information you have posted as I am trying to collect as much information as I can before meeting with the Grands last manager and another local man who was involved with the demolition committee in 1992. Thanks.
I’ve been in contact with a friend who went to the Patterson Library and was able to locate a few b/w photos and some written material
about the Grand. It seems that it was demolished in August of 1992 and that the town raised $60,000 to purchase the theatre from its owner at the time, Theodore Blakley of Erie PA. The town wanted to rid themselves of an “eyesore” and replace the theatre with a corner park which eventually is known today as being the site of a President Lincoln and Grace Bedell statue along with memorial bricks, trees and benches. The photos I rec’d are dark, but they do show the lighted art deco marquee featuring The Great O'Malley with Pat O'Brien, Sybil Jason and Humphrey Bogart. Also, the front doors with slanted brass door handles can be seen in the photos.
I was recently in Raleigh for the annual State Tree Lighting Ceremony and visited the Museum of History’s gift shop. I found a book on Charlotte with mention of the Carolina Theatre, but no photos. I’m hoping that Santa will bring this book on Christmas morning! HO HO HO!
The fact that this theatre was built by architect Louis Sullivan and the firm, Adler and Sullivan makes this a very special theatre thought they all are in their own right, but the name Sullivan is as prominent as the well-known name, Frank Lloyd Wright. I was looking through the list of architects and found the Sullivan name and one theatre connected with that prominent name. To read that the City of Chicago closed and demolished it is a real Chicago ‘crime’! It was interesting to read that Rapp & Rapp came onto the scene during the 30’s to remodel the theatre in the art deco style. And then to read that the theatre was replaced with a parking garage only to be torn down in the late 90’s was unbelievable! I found it most interesting to read the when the Garrick was to be demolished “there was one of the earliest organized public outcries in Chicago to save an historic building, but to no avail”….so very sad! If you want to see a beautiful building that Sullivan left his mark on and one that is still standing travel to Buffalo NY and visit the Guaranty Building.
Robby: Thanks for the additional Plaza Theatre information. Just wondered also if you have followed the Charlotte Carolina Theatre saga? I am a fairly new resident, but have alot of concern over the future of this theatre in ruins. It must be restored for future generations! If you go to the site about this threatre you’ll read my comments and those of many others which you might find interesting. There are a couple of organizations that have been working for over 10 years on restoring the Carolina….Metrolina Theatre Organ Society (www.mtos.org) and Carolina Theatre Preservation Society founded by Charlie Clayton (charlie c).
This book just arrived at my front door and I am thrilled and proud to now include it in my personal book collection. The cover is so beautiful and it will be placed on our coffee table for all to see and for all to enjoy! Thank you.
C.C. Hook is a prominent name in the history of Charlotte. I first came upon this name in connection with a beautiful fire station on S. Laurel Avenue. I went to the address and took a photo of this station and saw the brass plate on the wall with his name along with the year of construction. After speaking with the commander he told me that it had been one of the featured Dept. 56 stations and for good reason! While there they rec’d a call and the fire trucks rolled even though no men came down the brass poles that are still intact at the station! I know this isn’t theatre chat, so forgive me for getting off the main topic for a brief moment.
Thanks KenRoe for the information you have on the Carolina. I read it through and what came back at me when describing the interior were…….“made all parts of Charlotte’s Carolina a feast for the eyes”. That interior is either gone or ruined beyond belief. I will have the rare opportunity to see inside the Carolina in the coming days thanks to Charlie Clayton, Carolina Theater Preservation Society so will see for myself then, but I’m sure a tear will form as I stand and gaze at what is before me. This theater MUST be saved and restored!
I now have found on this site that R.E. Hall was the engineer for 2 theatres, Eastman Theatre in Rochester NY and Florida Theatre in Jacksonville FL, and was not the architect so the mystery still remains as to who was the architect for the Carolina Theatre?
Falonia: Are you a local Charlotte resident? If so, you might be interested in joining the Carolina Theatre Preservation Society founded by Charlie Clayton (charlie c).
The remains of the Palmetto Theater looks about like the Carolina Theatre’s lobby area which is gone. I know that Myrtle Beach has the Palace Theatre, but wondered why it isn’t listed for theatres in South Carolna. Many years ago the RCMH Christmas Spectacular was at the Palace.
The exact quote from the Carolina Theatre Timeline (Oct 1988) is “City Fair opens but work is halted due to escalating cost. City Fair has already gutted the building removing almost all the decorative and ornate objects from the theatre. The stage area is rebuilt to accommodate the planned seating area for the restaurant. Carly Capital Co. who owns City Fair talks city into de-listing theatre from local historic register. The steel beams that were needed for the restaurant would not fit through the old lobby so it had to be torn down.” Now this is truly unbelieveable and almost made me faint when I read it! In Sept 1982 the Carolina was placed on the local Historic Register only to be “de-listed” in 1988 so it was on the list for a short 6 years!
The photo on this page unfortunately doesn’t show the portion of the theatre with it’s wonderful green Spanish tile slanted roof as trees are in the way so if you are in the Charlotte area and haven’t really looked at the original front roof facade of the Carolina that still exists, I urge you to stop and take a good long look. Thanks to Charlie C. he has shared with me some of the important Carolina history and now I know, in part, why the lobby section is gone……when City Fair was involved and going to go proceed with their plans for the theatre they needed to bring in some steel beams and in the process realized they couldn’t get them inside so they removed the lobby section! I can’t find the exact quote, but that comes close to what I read.
Thomas: I can’t bring up the site you mentioned on June 2002 about the article that appeared in the Independent Tribune concerning the fund raiser for the Carolina. Perhaps you or Charlie C. can enlighten me about this and why there hasn’t been other fund raisers since then…..it’s time! I suppose the site isn’t available now because that fundraiser is old news, but a new fundraiser needs to be present news!
I read that The Sound of Music was at this theatre. It was also at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte (read about that one if you haven’t yet). TSOM ran for many weeks and broke record attendances!
We have friends in the Houston area so if our travels takes us back to “NASA World” we’ll stop by this bookstore and look around!
“Probably most notably were the Blatt brothers who during their prime owned approximately 25 theatres in the Western New York area.” This quote interests me and if anyone can tell me if they owned the demolished Grand Theatre in Westfield NY at one time I would appreciate it. Thanks.
I see that this theatre history mentions the Blatt Brothers and I was wondering if anyone could help with additional information concerning the Blatt name in connection to other theatres around the country? Thank you.
I just clicked on the website for this theatre and viewed the ceiling above the seats! WOW!
My friend’s information shows that the theatre closed June 23, 1964 but I do recall going to a movie with my husband in the 1980’s. It also goes on to say that the theatre changed hands in 1962 and that construction began February 26, 1941 and that it opened July 16th, 1941. Demolition is shown as being August 13, 1992.
Warren: Where did you find the information you have posted as I am trying to collect as much information as I can before meeting with the Grands last manager and another local man who was involved with the demolition committee in 1992. Thanks.
I’ve been in contact with a friend who went to the Patterson Library and was able to locate a few b/w photos and some written material
about the Grand. It seems that it was demolished in August of 1992 and that the town raised $60,000 to purchase the theatre from its owner at the time, Theodore Blakley of Erie PA. The town wanted to rid themselves of an “eyesore” and replace the theatre with a corner park which eventually is known today as being the site of a President Lincoln and Grace Bedell statue along with memorial bricks, trees and benches. The photos I rec’d are dark, but they do show the lighted art deco marquee featuring The Great O'Malley with Pat O'Brien, Sybil Jason and Humphrey Bogart. Also, the front doors with slanted brass door handles can be seen in the photos.
Gina: Thanks for the FRT information!
I was recently in Raleigh for the annual State Tree Lighting Ceremony and visited the Museum of History’s gift shop. I found a book on Charlotte with mention of the Carolina Theatre, but no photos. I’m hoping that Santa will bring this book on Christmas morning! HO HO HO!
The fact that this theatre was built by architect Louis Sullivan and the firm, Adler and Sullivan makes this a very special theatre thought they all are in their own right, but the name Sullivan is as prominent as the well-known name, Frank Lloyd Wright. I was looking through the list of architects and found the Sullivan name and one theatre connected with that prominent name. To read that the City of Chicago closed and demolished it is a real Chicago ‘crime’! It was interesting to read that Rapp & Rapp came onto the scene during the 30’s to remodel the theatre in the art deco style. And then to read that the theatre was replaced with a parking garage only to be torn down in the late 90’s was unbelievable! I found it most interesting to read the when the Garrick was to be demolished “there was one of the earliest organized public outcries in Chicago to save an historic building, but to no avail”….so very sad! If you want to see a beautiful building that Sullivan left his mark on and one that is still standing travel to Buffalo NY and visit the Guaranty Building.
Gary Flinn: The wagnersign.com site is wonderful. Thanks.
Robby: Thanks for the additional Plaza Theatre information. Just wondered also if you have followed the Charlotte Carolina Theatre saga? I am a fairly new resident, but have alot of concern over the future of this theatre in ruins. It must be restored for future generations! If you go to the site about this threatre you’ll read my comments and those of many others which you might find interesting. There are a couple of organizations that have been working for over 10 years on restoring the Carolina….Metrolina Theatre Organ Society (www.mtos.org) and Carolina Theatre Preservation Society founded by Charlie Clayton (charlie c).
This book just arrived at my front door and I am thrilled and proud to now include it in my personal book collection. The cover is so beautiful and it will be placed on our coffee table for all to see and for all to enjoy! Thank you.
The event each June to help raise monies for the Hollywood is called Happening at the Hollywood and the website is www.hollywoodtheater.org
C.C. Hook is a prominent name in the history of Charlotte. I first came upon this name in connection with a beautiful fire station on S. Laurel Avenue. I went to the address and took a photo of this station and saw the brass plate on the wall with his name along with the year of construction. After speaking with the commander he told me that it had been one of the featured Dept. 56 stations and for good reason! While there they rec’d a call and the fire trucks rolled even though no men came down the brass poles that are still intact at the station! I know this isn’t theatre chat, so forgive me for getting off the main topic for a brief moment.
Thanks KenRoe for the information you have on the Carolina. I read it through and what came back at me when describing the interior were…….“made all parts of Charlotte’s Carolina a feast for the eyes”. That interior is either gone or ruined beyond belief. I will have the rare opportunity to see inside the Carolina in the coming days thanks to Charlie Clayton, Carolina Theater Preservation Society so will see for myself then, but I’m sure a tear will form as I stand and gaze at what is before me. This theater MUST be saved and restored!
I now have found on this site that R.E. Hall was the engineer for 2 theatres, Eastman Theatre in Rochester NY and Florida Theatre in Jacksonville FL, and was not the architect so the mystery still remains as to who was the architect for the Carolina Theatre?
KenRoe: Thanks for providing us with the Carolina Theatre architect information, but was wondering what you source was as I see you are in the UK?
Falonia: Are you a local Charlotte resident? If so, you might be interested in joining the Carolina Theatre Preservation Society founded by Charlie Clayton (charlie c).
Phanton: Please keep us posted on this sad news story!