Marion Theatre

111 S. Church Street,
Marion, VA 25354

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Marion Theatre

Sometime between 1913 and 1921, the Valley House, an old wooden hotel facing Main Street, was remodeled and renamed the Hotel Marion. As part of this remodel, a large two story brick annex was constructed behind the hotel, with storefronts facing Church Street.

A theatre was in the southern storefront of this structure. If this was indeed the Marion Theatre, as seems logical from the hotel connection, it was open by early-1916.

The building was demolished many years ago, and replaced by a rather grim bank building, which might be from 1960-70.

Contributed by Seth Gaines

Recent comments (view all 1 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 6, 2024 at 6:36 pm

Here is an item from the November 20, 1915 issue of Moving Picture World:

“New House At Marion Virginia

“A new theater is now under construction at Marion, Va., which, when completed, will be leased and operated by J. B. Eccles. The city of Marion can boast of but slightly more than two thousand inhabitants, but it will have a theater as modern, well-equipped and up-to-date as any of those of the larger cities in this section.

“‘The Marion,’ as it is to be known, will have a seating capacity of about 350. Of this number fifty seats will be contained in the balcony, arranged to accommodate the colored inhabitants. To this there is to be a separate entrance from the main lobby.

“Arrangements have been made for the installation of a Mirror screen, Power’s 6B projecting machines and a compensarc. The present plans are for the opening of the Marion on Thanksgiving Day. A four-reel daily program is contemplated. The Marion is the second place of amusement for the city, for D. Hutton has operated the Pastime here for many years. Both he and Mr. Eccles are well known in this section, both having been in the field for a considerable period of time.”

An October 16 item in the same journal had noted that a new theater was being built at Marion by J. J. Coyner, owner of the Marion Hotel.

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