Beacon Theatre

The Beacon closed for the first time on June 30, 1962. It reopened under new ownership several months later. Hopewell didn’t support it, however, and it closed and reopened several times until it closed permanently. Before it closed for the last time, its name had been changed to the Town.

My grandmother worked at The Beacon for a while I believe during the 50’s and into the 60’s. My mother also worked there briefly as a concessionist during the early 60’s or late 50’s. I remember my grandmother telling me about how some of the customers complained of rats in the theater while watching the movie. She also managed the Bluebird and Walnut Mall theaters as well. There was another theater called The Century in Petersburg (which was beautiful in its day) that she worked at as well before they demolished it way back in the late 60’s I think.

Here are two photos of the Broadway:

Photo1

Photo2

Here is another photo of the Beacon Theater.

Here is a photo of the theater without the marquee:
http://tinyurl.com/2bldmk

This is a recent close-up of the Beacon Theater.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000

Beacon Theatre (added 2000 – Building – #00001434)
Also known as Broadway Theatre
401 N. Main St., Hopewell (Independent City)
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Edwards, Osbert L., Bishop, Fred
Architectural Style: Colonial Revival, Art Deco
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949, 1950-1974
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic, Recreation And Culture, Social
Historic Sub-function: Auditorium, Civic, Meeting Hall, Multiple Dwelling, Professional, Theater
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use