1863 Cinema
36 Michigan Avenue,
Smithers,
WV
25186
36 Michigan Avenue,
Smithers,
WV
25186
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The auditorium of the former 1863 Cinema looking toward the projection booth, circa 2000.
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I forgot to mention that the original projection booth was much smaller – a concrete cube that sat above the lobby. There was barely enough room in it, so my father tore it out completely and made the projection booth span the entire width of the auditorum. Access in that era was via an external door.
On the left, you can see a ladder and a collapsed wall. There used to be a viewing portal here. Someone had cut an opening below it to access the projection booth. I went into the booth with the ladder to the right of the opening – no problem. When I came out, I had the ladder resting above the opening so I could just hold onto the rungs and climb down. The wall collapsed and I feel to the auditorium (fortunately feet-first).