Drake Theatre
130 Tarboro Street W,
Wilson,
NC
27893
130 Tarboro Street W,
Wilson,
NC
27893
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If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre in its adult days, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at Thanks!
The Drake Theatre closed in the mid-1970s, about the same time as the opening of the Gold Park Twin cinemas.
I have looked at LostMemory’s and Chuck1231’s links regarding a “Carolina Theatre” in Wilson and it seems that Wilson had two different Carolina Theatres. LostMemory’s link shows a photo of the 1930 Carolina Theatre along with photos of the Drake Theatre. The Drake and the 1930 Carolina appear to be the same theatre. Chuck1231’s link shows the plans for a 1939 Carolina Theatre (the Goldsboro Street theater later renamed the Colony Theatre). Apparently Wilby-Kincey built the new Carolina in 1939 and remodeled the old Carolina about the same time, renaming the latter the Drake. The Carolina/Colony Theatre has been demolished while the Carolina/Drake Theatre still stands.
I remember Stewart & Everett used to run at least two other “42nd Street”-style grindhouses in Eastern North Carolina besides the Drake. The Paramount in Kinston ran grindhouse films (but no X-rated films)from at least 1974 until its closing in 1975 or 1976, charging 99 cents adult admission. About the same time, the Tryon Theatre in New Bern also ran grindhouse films, but they also showed XXX adult films. By 1977 the Tryon was strictly porn and remained so until it closed in 1979. What I find to be unusual about the Drake (for Eastern North Carolina anyway) is that it ran porn films in close proximity to another pornhouse (Wilson Theatre).
Seating capacity: auditorium- 708, balcony- 318, total- 1026. basement plan: 3 large dressing rooms, wooden stairs on either side leading to the stage. first floor: 15 foot stage. controls and ducts behind the stage. ticket lobby ( triangular shaped) on the far left side when facing the stage box office behind the ticket lobby. balcony entrance on the far right side. balcony box office next to the balcony entrance. manager’s office, men’s restrooms, vestibule and lobby are also located to the right of the ticket lobby.
Erle C. Stillwell was the architect for the Carolina Theatre. Address listed in this history is 129 S. Goldboro St.
There is some history and blueprints at this link.
View link
My father was the manager of the Drake in the 1960’s. My first job was as popcorn boy for the Center and Drake theaters. *The Drake was always The Drake theater..The Carolina theater was on Goldsboro Street and eventually became The Colony Theater.
Here is another photo, undated, of The Drake. Probably mid-late 1960s. View link
The Drake was previously known as the Carolina Theater. The address is 128-130 S Tarboro Street which Google maps as 130 Tarboro St NE. Photos of the Carolina and Drake can be seen here.
If you go the the listings for the DRAKE CINEMA, PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND, you’ll see your cousin’s namesake. This was under the Odeon chain and had the most interesting of facades; a huge Galleon under full sail.
Stationed in this wonderful port city with the Royal Navy, I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed watching movies in their on a lousy, cold, wet, summers day!