Colonial Theater
220 S. Mecklenburg Avenue,
South Hill,
VA
23970
220 S. Mecklenburg Avenue,
South Hill,
VA
23970
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The Colonial Theater was built by Gilbert A. Saunders in 1925 at a cost of $10,000. It opened as a vaudeville theater and then switched to being a movie theater.
In 2001 the South Hill Civic Center purchased the theater from the Saunders family. The South Hill Civic Center then donated the theater to the present owner, the South Hill Community Development Authority.
The Colonial Theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. Additional fundraising, including a major capital campaign, will begin soon. The target date for opening was set for 2007, but in early-2009, this is still ongoing.
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
I have driven by this theater several times in the past few years and it is obvious it was a sustantial and probably noteworthy facility.The bulk and design showed it’s vaudeville origin.I’m thrilled that something will be down to preserve and use it.South Hill and the surrounding area is one of the hardest hit by the destruction of the US textile industry(thanks for trying to save 1 dollar on jeans and destroying people’s lives)and the concurrent destruction of the US tobacco industry.It’s kind of a sad little town,like others of its ilk,but there are good and tough people here who realize that quality of life is to be savored and presreved.
This is the listing for the Colonial Theater on the National Register of Historic Places:
Colonial Theatre (added 2003 – Building – #03000448)
220 S. Mecklenburg Ave., South Hill
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architectural Style: Early Commercial
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Government, Recreation And Culture, Social
Historic Sub-function: Clubhouse, Meeting Hall, Post Office, Professional, Specialty Store, Theater
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use
Drove by it yesterday(Sat.).It is obvious that the building has had some real work put into it.It sparkles on the outside.The sign looks pretty good.A lot of paint has been applied.The inside????
Here is a 1952 photo:
http://urlcut.com/1cbia
This is another photo of the Colonial Theater.
This is a new link for the Related Websites above.
The Colonial Theater is listed in 1955 with 560 seats.
This is the National Register of Historic Places registration form. Here are the photos that go with the form.
1985 photo of the Colonial Theatre.
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Another 1985 photo of the Colonial Theatre.
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