Strand Theatre
12 N. 8th Street,
Allentown,
PA
18101
12 N. 8th Street,
Allentown,
PA
18101
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Boyd Theater Circuit
Architects: Robert Lange, Wallace E. Ruhe
Firms: Ruhe & Lange
Functions: Office Space
Previous Names: Cinema
Nearby Theaters
Opened as the Strand Theatre on October 8, 1917. It became the Cinema on April 12, 1941 and was listed with 1,000 seats. Later back to the Strand Theatre the seating was listed at 794. It was located on N. 8th Street just west of W. Hamilton Street.
One of about a dozen theatres located in the main business district of Allentown. I coudn’t find a closing date for the Strand Theatre. The auditorium has been demolished but the front of the building and foyer still survive in use as office space.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
I watched this theatre as it was being torn down. What a waste. I went into the rubble and salvaged a piece of decorative plaster that I still have in a showcase. I lived accross the streat from this theater. Allentown is a ghost of its former self and never appreciated its movie palaces.
Here is another 1986 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ya8ydez
The December 1, 1917, issue of The Moving Picture World said that the Strand Theatre in Allentown had opened on October 8th. The Strand was designed by local architects Ruhe & Lange.
Wallace E. Ruhe was the lead architect of this firm, and Robert Lange apparently handled the business end of their projects.
The theater had closed in the 1950s I believe, as by the early 1960s, the marquee was there and it was a large card shop that was in the lobby.
Torn down in June 1987 along with a pizza place next door. Also the Earl Theater was next to the pizza shop which was torn down in 1961.
The area now is a large asphalt parking lot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strand_Theater%28Allentown,Pennsylvania%29
bwmoll3’s link.
October 6th, 1917 grand opening ad in the photo section. Opened on the 8th.
This reopened as Cinema on April 12th, 1941. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
Found on Newspapers.com
The auditorium is demolished but the lobby building still stands.