Columbia Theatre
134 N. Louisville Street,
Harlem,
GA
30814
134 N. Louisville Street,
Harlem,
GA
30814
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yep, I noticed they are really improving the old theatre..looks nice from the road…
Great news! It was announced on 11th August 2018 that the Columbia is going to undergo an extensive renovation, so by summer 2019 the city hopes to re-open it as a visitor center, a 50- to 75-seat theater for classic and contemporary films and it will also house the relocated Laurel & Hardy Museum that is the city’s biggest tourist draw.
Residents got a glimpse of what’s planned at a public meeting, during which they were shown the condition of the building and what needs to be done.
Mark Lorah, the Augusta structural engineer assigned to the project, said only the bottom floor of the three-level building will be restored as part of this project. The other two levels will be preserved, for renovation later. This decision was made largely “in deference to the budget” he said, which for now is $1 million. He added that some parts of the theater are in better condition than others. The original trusses are in good shape, and parts of the roof were replaced several years ago, soon after the city bought the building in 2005.
INSIDE work is of a gutted building,,
Inside work still on hold,front of marquee is great.
they are slowly now rewiring parts of the Theatre and plan to remove the raised floor,hopefully soon.
Nice looking marquee.
I have been inside and long time ago the theatre floor was leveled off for businesses that used that space. SO inside it really looks like a hardware store could be there. I never got to the booth,but i think some of the equipment might still be there.
I drive by there quite a bit and have tried until I am blue in face to get these folks to look into Cinema Treasures and answer questions.
The pictures look very nice. Any chance on restoring the Laurel and Hardy murals on the side.
Well, I sent a Letter to the Editor about Cinema Treasures and how the locals could add stories. “YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER,BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM DRINK IT.” They printed the letter. HAD such a big write up in the paper about old employees and how they loved theCOLUMBIA. “YOU CAN LEAD…….
OCTOBER 29 2009
THE COLUMBIA THEATRE in Harlem will turn the lights on the rebuilt marquee. They hope the town shows up and shows support.The Mayor quoted in the COLUMBIA TIMES-NEWS said “ IN our little town it will add alot of neat color"
The $69.000 project was partially funded by a $40,000 state grant.The story goes to state The project architect recommended a larger stage capable of holding two simultaneous productions,and reducing the flooring and theatre seating.
The marquee will set witha timer to come on everynight.
The Drive in in THOMSON was called THE MELODY DRIVE IN no REBEL DRIVE IN. My mistake.
I drove by the Columbia Theatre the remade marquee is up and workers were working outside the theatre. Hopefully, it will be open for local productions and maybe a film/ dvd show. I wish more local would get interested, but i have talked to some residents of this small town that feels it is waste of time. Wrens,Ga. about 20 miles away has an old theatre that was gutted fot future businesses.
Back in 1977 while we were busy readying Columbia 1 and 2 for the big grand opening for Colmbia County and Augusta, none of us ever thought that right up 1-20 in Harlem sat a vacant rat infested closed theatre called the Columbia.
The Columbia was your typical small town theatre. It probably sat about 500 people. It had a small concession stand and an ample supply of grade-B movies and serials. Since it served a rural section I’m sure it played quite a few 2 or 3 reeler Republic pictures. I’ve never been in the booth; I tried several times but the door was locked. I’m sure the 35mm projectors are long gone. If the new Columbia Theatre shows films I’m sure it will be on video — sadly just like the Imperial in Augusta.
The theatre was run by Bill and Nan Griffin during the 1950s to the mid 1960s when it went dark. Some blamed Augusta’s growing market, others blamed Thomson GA with its very nice downtown theatre and a drive-in called The Rebel. Television however really put the nail in the coffin. It affected several Augusta Drive-Ins, and I believe the Columbia suffered the same fate. The good news is the Columbia is getting a marquee that matches the original in color, and the theatre will be open for local productions. Harlem wants it to be the place to be!
Oliver Hardy was born in Harlem and every October the city celebrates his birthday with a huge celebration. Thousands pour in from all over the world. Now Harlem will have a link to Hollywood.
Larger, and I mean much larger cities like Charlotte tore down every downtown theatre and today they suffer. A small town like Harlem at least saved the building even if it was for the local natural gas company.
I’ve added the Columbia Theatre with the Campus Theatre in Milledgeville GA with the Oliver Hardy tie-in between the two towns.
The cost of restoration was up to 750K by March 2006:
http://tinyurl.com/57wqzf