Do a Google Street view map of 306 E. Railroad. Notice the white facade of the Ace Hardware. Above the right side of the facade you will see a raised masonary section. That is the top of the old Crystal Theater. When the Crystal Theatre closed in 1981, White’s Auto was located in the store right next to (to the left) of the theater. At some point in the mid-80’s, White’s (now Ace) expanded into the old theater. I remember that the theater had seating on the main floor and also a small balcony. During segregation, the balcony is where non-whites sat. The theatre had a small lobby with a concession stand and single restrooms for both men and women. As theaters go, the old Crystal was rather narrow. Young couples preferred to sit in the back (under the balcony), as it was darker back there. There were two fire exits on either side of the screen. It was great sport for teens to try to sneek into the theater via the fire exits. I remember that the Crystal had a beautiful neon marque. It was trimmed in pink neon with white letters that would light up on after another until it spelled CRYSTAL and then it would flash 3 or 4 times. I am not sure when the Crystal opened, but my guess would be sometime in the 40’s maybe
in 45 after the war. I kinda would doubt mid-30’s because of the Depression. Money was very tight in the rural South then. As I recall, the Crystal and the theater in nearby Hazelhurst (the Indian?) were both owned by the same man and operated as independents in the final years before they both closed. Cable TV and new multiplex theaters in nearby Jackson spelled the end of the Crystal. It was a sad day when she closed. Anyone with any additional information – please post. I do recall that a Mr. Mixon was the manager in the 60’s and early 70’s, followed by Mr. Freels until the place closed.
Do a Google Street view map of 306 E. Railroad. Notice the white facade of the Ace Hardware. Above the right side of the facade you will see a raised masonary section. That is the top of the old Crystal Theater. When the Crystal Theatre closed in 1981, White’s Auto was located in the store right next to (to the left) of the theater. At some point in the mid-80’s, White’s (now Ace) expanded into the old theater. I remember that the theater had seating on the main floor and also a small balcony. During segregation, the balcony is where non-whites sat. The theatre had a small lobby with a concession stand and single restrooms for both men and women. As theaters go, the old Crystal was rather narrow. Young couples preferred to sit in the back (under the balcony), as it was darker back there. There were two fire exits on either side of the screen. It was great sport for teens to try to sneek into the theater via the fire exits. I remember that the Crystal had a beautiful neon marque. It was trimmed in pink neon with white letters that would light up on after another until it spelled CRYSTAL and then it would flash 3 or 4 times. I am not sure when the Crystal opened, but my guess would be sometime in the 40’s maybe
in 45 after the war. I kinda would doubt mid-30’s because of the Depression. Money was very tight in the rural South then. As I recall, the Crystal and the theater in nearby Hazelhurst (the Indian?) were both owned by the same man and operated as independents in the final years before they both closed. Cable TV and new multiplex theaters in nearby Jackson spelled the end of the Crystal. It was a sad day when she closed. Anyone with any additional information – please post. I do recall that a Mr. Mixon was the manager in the 60’s and early 70’s, followed by Mr. Freels until the place closed.