Center Theater
407 Main Street,
Little Rock,
AR
72201
407 Main Street,
Little Rock,
AR
72201
1 person
favorited this theater
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Reopened as Center on April 17th, 1949
This opened as Royal on September 13th, 1910. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
National Register information
Status Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on May 22, 2003 Reference number 03000422 Architectural style Modern Movement: Moderne Area of significance Architecture Level of significance Local Evaluation criteria C – Design/Construction Property type Building Historic function Theater Period of significance 1925-1949 Significant years 1948; 1949
This theatre has been demolished. The site is now a parking lot.
I saw Fantastic Voyage in 1966 at this one. Small, but it had a balcony. I’d heard channel 7 purchased it in the 70’s.
The Royal Theatre dates from around 1910. The June 21, 1917, issue of Engineering News-Record said that the Royal Theatre was to be rebuilt at a cost of about $150,000. Plans for the rebuilding were being prepared by local architect T.M. Sanders.
So sad. Saw lots of good movies, there. The first one I remember is ‘Zulu’, with Stanley Baker, and Michael Caine, in 1964, when I was 9. Also saw ‘Patton’, there, in ‘70, 'Big Jake’, in ‘71, and 'The Exorcist’ in ‘73, and many, many others.
I am fairly certain it is completely gone now.
The last time I passed by the Center in May 2009, the theater was still there. The buildings immediately across the street had just been demolished and might have been confused for the Center. During my formative years in the 60’s, I saw a number of Elvis and Disney movies there; they also played the Bond films there.
Here is a 1954 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/qnooaj
how silly is that?
Being on the register doesn’t prevent the owner from doing whatever they want as long as no federal money is involved.
How did it get demolished if it is on the national register of historic places?
It has been demolished.
Unfortunately, colder hearts are prevailing. A demolition permit has been issued for the Center. Apparently part of another attempt to “revitalize” downtown Little Rock.
There has been some consideration of incorporating the Center into a fine arts block that would include at least two new venues for the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. The local investor who owns the Center has a terrific reputation for projects that maintain their historic integrity. He also has a reputation for playing his cards close to his chest until a “real” project can be announced, complete with funding and a timeline. There is realistic hope here.
A 1994 view of the Center Theater in Little Rock.