Elberta Theater
107 Main Street,
Nashville,
AR
71852
107 Main Street,
Nashville,
AR
71852
1 person
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This theater was located in Nashville, Arkansas. When you walked in the lobby, there were columns with mirrors around it. Off to the left was a curved stair case. The ceiling was very high with great sound. The theater closed in 1983 with the last movie shown “Popeye”.
The theater was originally a hardware store. It was then opened as a theater somewhere around 1943. This was a very large theater considering the towns population is only 5,000 people. After the theater closed it turned into a live country music show that lasted several years with numerous appearances by celebrity country music performers. Finally around 1990 the theater closed.
The theater fell into disrepair when part of the back of the theater caved in, and the roof started collapsing as well. It was torn down around 1996.
Contributed by
Shane VanCamp
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
When converted to the Elberta Theatre in 1943 is was done in an Art Deco style.
There was also a Howard Theatre and Liberty Theatre listed in Nashville, Ar. but was barely mentioned in the Historical Society magazine. Anyone have info on these two theatres?
Chuck….Both the Howard and the Liberty are listed in 1955. The Howard had 490 seats and the Liberty had 406 seats. No addresses given. Aren’t addresses considered to be optional anyway? LOL
LOL, I will find the addresses, promise.
This was a K. Lee Williams Theatres inc. Theatre (chain) He is the one that added the Art Deco style.
LM, both the Howard and the Liberty preceeded the Elberta and were part of the K. Lee Williams chain in 1941. So all three theatres were part of the same chain. All three were operating in the early 1950’s. Also the Historical magazine lists the former Elberta Theatre located at 107 Main St. as closed and demolished.
Chuck1231,
Did you post that pic of the Elberta Theater? I’m from Nashville (originally) and would like permission to post that on the Wikipedia site, it’s a real treasure and I still can’t believe they had to tear it down. If you didn’t post it, but have any idea how to find the person who did (Classic Images has no contact info), email me (morgaledh AT gmail.com). Thanks so much!
I posted the link to the photo but the photo is not mine, it is from the American Classic Images. You can get the info on the photo from the link.
I was so glad to see the photo. My grandfather managed those theaters from 1939 until he purchased the Elberta and the Howard Drive-in from Mr.Williams in the late 60’s/early 70’s. He then sold them in the early 80’s. It really brings back a lot of memories. Thanks!
This is a theatre the community should have saved.