LM: I won’t sleep until I know the answer either. I can tell you that the Don Gibson sign is not on the Rogers anymore though the renovation work isn’t far enough along to have any sign reading Don Gibson on the former State/Flick theatre yet. I hope to return to Shelby in March and should be able to report more on-site evaluations then. In the meantime, I have posted your question(s) to the 2 men I met while in Shelby.
Chuck: Yes, the heading should read “closed” rather than “closed/renovated”.
The exterior and interior of the Rogers is most definitely art deco as I viewed many art deco style round glass ceiling lights above the auditorium and balcony area during my tour of the Rogers thanks to the Executive Director of the Uptown Shelby Association, Mr. Wade Nichols. The auditorium has seats, but they are not the original seats when the theatre was built in 1936. I asked about the name of the man who was the architect, Charles C. Benson and was told that name is in question!?! The interior didn’t show any signs of mold on the seats as I held my flashlight though was told the original stage curtain was in the basement “folded up”. I didn’t go into the basement, but did venture to the balcony area to see no evidence of seats. A look at the projection booth showed no signs of at least one vintage Simplex projector..only a toilet with the seat in the up position! There was plaster everywhere that had fallen off the walls and ceilings including the ladies room. A local told me that the theatre wasn’t in good shape when he went to movies at the Rogers years ago so I’d say the condition of this theatre today has been like this for far too long. I just hope the citizens of Shelby realize they have an art deco gem in their midst and eventually decide to focus their theatre attention on this other theatre in their town, too! The building is structurally sound with minimal roof leakage, if any. The stage area was deep with no evidence of an orchestra pit. Hard to say if an organ ever existed in this theatre’s past. There was a catwalk above the stage that could be seen with the help of flashlights. Ceiling was painted black and was peeling everywhere! The side walls were covered in acoustical material that depicted 3 large curved shapes on each side.
LM: I haven’t received an answer as to why the change in venues, but will…in time. In the meantime, I can report that the Rogers is not undergoing any type of renovation at the present time though perhaps someday it will. The effort and focus is to restore the former State which was later named the Flick Theatre on S. Washington near uptown Shelby. The effort is there and the theatre will be named the Don Gibson Theatre. Mr. Gibson is a native son who is no longer living though his widow is still with us and is involved with the work being done at the former State/Flick. Mr. Gibson wrote many songs for the late Patsy Cline. Eventually the courthouse(orpart of it)on the town square will be turned into the Earl Scruggs Center as Mr. Scruggs was also a native son of Shelby.
LOL! Sure loved seeing the vintage photo and on the website there is a before and after photo of the decorative brass railing! Amazing and another fine example of what a small town can do if they pull together to bring back a 414 seat theatre rather than demolish it.
I just found out about this theatre through a magazine entitled Carolina Currents The Boating and Waterfront Magazine. Then I go to see if it is on CT and find that our very own, Lost Memory, has added this one! ;)
Also, I may have failed to explain that when Alison referred to the Flick she alos called it the Don Gibson Theatre though the Rogers was at one time also called the Don Gibson Theatre. When the Rogers get renovated I hope they keep the name…..Rogers. They should to avoid any name confusion.
To clear things up, if I might…..the Rogers renovation is on hold until the Flick Theatre is finished and then it isn’t a sure thing, but hopefully, in time, the Rogers will get renovated.
I also hope that, in time, the Rogers Theatre will be renovated and used though at the moment the focus and renovation effort is being directed towards the Flick Theatre a few blocks from the Rogers. I found this all out through one phone call/internet search and I haven’t even arrived in Shelby yet! The above Shelby Star site offers a brief sound video (though no commentary) of the work being done almost “as we speak”!
I just found this about the Flick Theatre which will be the Don Gibson Theatre in Shelby NC. It will be used as a music venue. I recall that Don Gibson is or was a country music singer possibly from Shelby NC.
Chuck/LM: Oh yes, after my visit! When talking to the lady in Shelby she also told me that the theatre that is being renovated will be called the Don Gibson Theatre.
Ah yes….that elusive white organ! LOL! BTW, a lady named Alison at Uptown Shelby Association just told me via our phone conversation that the word “renovating” is probably not the word to describe the Rogers at the present time. There is another theatre in town that is being completely renovated 2 blocks over in the Historic Shelby District. The Rogers Theatre renovation is not ongoing at the moment so the “bring your flashlight” comment is good advice. Will let you know if I get to see the Rogers Theatre interior!
What is the current status of this art deco theatre? I recently had a conversation with a gentleman who is with the City of Shelby and he told me to “bring a flashlight” if I wanted to see the theatre!
I had forgotten that the infamous wrecking ball was close to being in this theatre’s past. Thank goodness it is still with us though amazed at the cost to heat such a building in today’s economy. That is why it is so important to have theatre fundraisers, etc.
On the Marion website under the history section it mentions 2 other theatres that were in Ocala…the Dixie and the Ritz though I don’t think they are included on CT.
I have tried clicking on the Bob Schley name in 2 different locations and neither one seem to be deliverable email addresses and Chuck LaChiusa was of no help to me.
LM: I won’t sleep until I know the answer either. I can tell you that the Don Gibson sign is not on the Rogers anymore though the renovation work isn’t far enough along to have any sign reading Don Gibson on the former State/Flick theatre yet. I hope to return to Shelby in March and should be able to report more on-site evaluations then. In the meantime, I have posted your question(s) to the 2 men I met while in Shelby.
Chuck: Yes, the heading should read “closed” rather than “closed/renovated”.
The exterior and interior of the Rogers is most definitely art deco as I viewed many art deco style round glass ceiling lights above the auditorium and balcony area during my tour of the Rogers thanks to the Executive Director of the Uptown Shelby Association, Mr. Wade Nichols. The auditorium has seats, but they are not the original seats when the theatre was built in 1936. I asked about the name of the man who was the architect, Charles C. Benson and was told that name is in question!?! The interior didn’t show any signs of mold on the seats as I held my flashlight though was told the original stage curtain was in the basement “folded up”. I didn’t go into the basement, but did venture to the balcony area to see no evidence of seats. A look at the projection booth showed no signs of at least one vintage Simplex projector..only a toilet with the seat in the up position! There was plaster everywhere that had fallen off the walls and ceilings including the ladies room. A local told me that the theatre wasn’t in good shape when he went to movies at the Rogers years ago so I’d say the condition of this theatre today has been like this for far too long. I just hope the citizens of Shelby realize they have an art deco gem in their midst and eventually decide to focus their theatre attention on this other theatre in their town, too! The building is structurally sound with minimal roof leakage, if any. The stage area was deep with no evidence of an orchestra pit. Hard to say if an organ ever existed in this theatre’s past. There was a catwalk above the stage that could be seen with the help of flashlights. Ceiling was painted black and was peeling everywhere! The side walls were covered in acoustical material that depicted 3 large curved shapes on each side.
LM: I haven’t received an answer as to why the change in venues, but will…in time. In the meantime, I can report that the Rogers is not undergoing any type of renovation at the present time though perhaps someday it will. The effort and focus is to restore the former State which was later named the Flick Theatre on S. Washington near uptown Shelby. The effort is there and the theatre will be named the Don Gibson Theatre. Mr. Gibson is a native son who is no longer living though his widow is still with us and is involved with the work being done at the former State/Flick. Mr. Gibson wrote many songs for the late Patsy Cline. Eventually the courthouse(orpart of it)on the town square will be turned into the Earl Scruggs Center as Mr. Scruggs was also a native son of Shelby.
As someone remarked on the flick link…“love that tile”!
Chuck: LOL! I would agree! I’ll be in Akron OH this Spring so will check out this theatre though not the urinals depicted in the photo!
Another function of this theater is classic movies.
Washington NC has about 9,000 residents so not a small town. It is East of Raleigh.
LOL! Sure loved seeing the vintage photo and on the website there is a before and after photo of the decorative brass railing! Amazing and another fine example of what a small town can do if they pull together to bring back a 414 seat theatre rather than demolish it.
I just found out about this theatre through a magazine entitled Carolina Currents The Boating and Waterfront Magazine. Then I go to see if it is on CT and find that our very own, Lost Memory, has added this one! ;)
Also, I may have failed to explain that when Alison referred to the Flick she alos called it the Don Gibson Theatre though the Rogers was at one time also called the Don Gibson Theatre. When the Rogers get renovated I hope they keep the name…..Rogers. They should to avoid any name confusion.
I also noticed that one of the CT founders, Ross Melnick added this theatre.
Correction: photo, not photos
After viewing the phtos that LM posted I read that this Don Gibson is no longer with us.
To clear things up, if I might…..the Rogers renovation is on hold until the Flick Theatre is finished and then it isn’t a sure thing, but hopefully, in time, the Rogers will get renovated.
I also hope that, in time, the Rogers Theatre will be renovated and used though at the moment the focus and renovation effort is being directed towards the Flick Theatre a few blocks from the Rogers. I found this all out through one phone call/internet search and I haven’t even arrived in Shelby yet! The above Shelby Star site offers a brief sound video (though no commentary) of the work being done almost “as we speak”!
View link
I just found this about the Flick Theatre which will be the Don Gibson Theatre in Shelby NC. It will be used as a music venue. I recall that Don Gibson is or was a country music singer possibly from Shelby NC.
http://local.shelbystar.com/dgt/
Chuck/LM: Oh yes, after my visit! When talking to the lady in Shelby she also told me that the theatre that is being renovated will be called the Don Gibson Theatre.
Ah yes….that elusive white organ! LOL! BTW, a lady named Alison at Uptown Shelby Association just told me via our phone conversation that the word “renovating” is probably not the word to describe the Rogers at the present time. There is another theatre in town that is being completely renovated 2 blocks over in the Historic Shelby District. The Rogers Theatre renovation is not ongoing at the moment so the “bring your flashlight” comment is good advice. Will let you know if I get to see the Rogers Theatre interior!
I will…plan to go tomorrow, Feb. 6th.
Well, I’ll let you know! ;)
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/shelby/rog.htm
What is the current status of this art deco theatre? I recently had a conversation with a gentleman who is with the City of Shelby and he told me to “bring a flashlight” if I wanted to see the theatre!
I had forgotten that the infamous wrecking ball was close to being in this theatre’s past. Thank goodness it is still with us though amazed at the cost to heat such a building in today’s economy. That is why it is so important to have theatre fundraisers, etc.
On the Marion website under the history section it mentions 2 other theatres that were in Ocala…the Dixie and the Ritz though I don’t think they are included on CT.
I have tried clicking on the Bob Schley name in 2 different locations and neither one seem to be deliverable email addresses and Chuck LaChiusa was of no help to me.