Rowland Theatre
127 North Front Street,
Philipsburg,
PA
16866
127 North Front Street,
Philipsburg,
PA
16866
1 person
favorited this theater
The Rowland Theatre in on the National Register of Historic Places. It was was built in 1917 by local soft coal magnate and U.S. Congressman Charles Hedding Rowland, who also refurbished the Rowland House on South Centre Street. The theatre occupies the space of the Pearce Opera Hose that burned on December 31, 1910. Perhaps because of the history of the site, Charles Rowland liked to explain that his theatre was completely fireproof. Many building of this ere were fireproof, meaning they had concrete walls, floors and roofs. The original theatre marquee was made of opaque white and green glass. The original marquee is partially intact and was recently uncovered. The Rowland Board is seeking funds to restore it. The theatre has a lovely lobby with a stained glass skylight and painted murals. Below the stage are dressing rooms and a ‘green room’. At the back of the building there were large doors that backed onto the railroad siding. When the circus came to town, the animals and big equipment moved directly from the rail cars to the back of the stage.
Its large size, sound construction, and lavish decor bear witness to Mr. Rowland’s conception of the theater as a public necessity. In its early days the theater housed a diversified program of movies and live theatrical attractions, but more recently it has served predominately as a movie house.
The Rowland Theatre today is owned by the Philipsburg Borough and is under the management of a non-profit organization, Rowland Theatre Incorporated. Recent renovations have vastly improved the appearance of the interior. With its big screen and Dolby sound, the theatre attracts movie fans from all over central Pennsylvania. Many celebrities have performed in or visited the theatre over the years, including President Carter, Eric Estrada, Cahal Dunn and others.
Contributed by
mpm243, Emily Doyle
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
As a recent discoverer of The Rowland, I am so grateful to the borough of Philipsburg for preserving this historical treasure – regardless of what’s playing, I make it a point when in town to catch a film and for a few hours step back in time to the movies the way my parents and grandparents experienced it! Please continue to restore and treasure this magnificent landmark, especially in the wake of the recent demolition of the Winburne, PA firehouse, which at one time was a beautiful movie theatre in its own right.
The name of the other theatre in Philipsburg is the Majestic. It was a furniture store for a period of time but, I believe, it is now empty.
Here is a recent photo of the Rowland Theater.
Rowland Theatre, Philipsburg, PA
Architect: Julian Hillard
Engineer: W.A. Hoyt
1982 photo of the Rowland Theatre.
View link
This is a 1982 close-up view.
Thanks, Lost Memory. This looks like a nice theatre. Are there any photos of the interior? Just curious.
Here you go MPol:
Interior Photo1
Interior Photo2
Interior Photo3
Architect is Julian Millard (not Hillard).
Architect Julian Millard (not Hillard) was apparently also the designer of the Capitol Theatre at Altoona, Pennsylvania.