Strand Theatre

This theater was operated by Comerford-Publix Theaters, and was still operating as of 1955. Presumably it closed not long after that, as friends who grew up in Carlisle have no memory of it. The population of Carlisle at that time was around 14000, and perhaps having two theaters in town, each with seating over 1000, was too much for the market to bear, given the new popularity of “free” TV. I don’t recall any empty theater being destroyed by fire in August 1972, but that was a busy summer, what with Tropical Storm Agnes and all, and perhaps the building had been converted to some other use.

Bryan: Thanks for that link. As it was still referred to as the Strand Theater, at least part of it must have still existed at that time, though I’m sure it was not in business. By the address it would seem to have been a large building, probably with storefronts and apartments. The fire was arson, and tragically two people were killed. I wonder if the theater itself was still sitting there decaying, an open invitation for vandalism. I checked with the Carlisle Sentinel and their archives have all been transferred to the Cumberland County Historical Society, which is only three doors down from where the Strand once stood. If and when I have a chance to go there I’ll check it out.