Center Theater
Third Street NW,
Hickory,
NC
28601
Third Street NW,
Hickory,
NC
28601
1 person
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Located downtown Hickory, the Center Theater opened in 1942. It closed in 1972 and was demolished in September 2007 to make room for a parking lot. It had first run movies, and kiddie days on Saturdays, for only one thin dime.
The Center Theater was segregated until the 1960’s when seating for African-Americans was admitted down on the main floor. Seating otherwise was in a dark dirty balcony. Drinks and popcorn were brought up stairs to the African-American patrons. Ticket windows were seperate from whites. “No Restrooms for Coloreds” was posted on a sign.
There was one African-American theater in Hickory, the Embassy Theater, which featured first rate movies, big bands and dancing girls on Saturday nights.
The Carolina Theater is now the only theater in downtown Hickory.
Contributed by
DON BARKER
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
1984 photo of the Center Theatre. Towards the end of its life as you can see from the photo it was an X rated house. But don’t let warren see that.
View link
Another 1984 photo is here.
The Center Theatre was located across from the Carolina Theatre at 215 1st Ave. NW.
The architect was Erle Stillwell.
The link in the related websites is no longer a working link.
Here is the new link.
http://www.ncgenweb.us/conover/canova.htm
Here is some history on the Center with photos.
View link
Address need to be updated to 215 First Ave. NW
I don’t see a listing for the Embassy here.