Elba Theatre
231 Court Street,
Elba,
AL
36323
231 Court Street,
Elba,
AL
36323
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The Elba Theatre was opened on February 13, 1925 with J. Warren Kerrigan in “The Covered Wagon”. Brackin Theaters operated the Elba Theatre in the early-1960’s. It is currently (2015) owned by non-profit Restoration 154. The group is seeking grants and raising funds towards its restoration.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
The building that once housed The Claire Theater was given to Covenant Community Church in 2007. The church, working together with the community, is renovating the building and it will open as Just Folk Coffehouse and Arts Center this Spring.
One section of a wall that had the original paint from the theater has been preserved as a “conversation piece” regarding the history of the building.
If you have further information on The Claire or are interested in inquiring, please contact Covenant Community Church.
Walter Brackin got in trouble with the film distributors in 1938, according to this item from the September 3 issue of Motion Picture Herald:
The January 17, 1941, issue of The Film Daily reported a fire at the Elba Theatre:A 250-seat Elba Theatre was listed at Elba, Alabama, in the 1927 FDY. In 1915, Elba had a house called the Photoplay, and in 1924 it had a Strand Theatre. I think the Elba Theatre listed in 1927 might have been either enlarged or moved to a new building later. The modern building of the Elba is about twice as wide as the building the 260-seat Claire Theatre was in. The Elba’s facade looks to date from the 1930s.
The Elba Theatre is undergoing gradual renovation and has already presented a few movies. In 2015, their goal is to have one movie a month, according to Their Facebook page.
Recent photos show that the interior of the auditorium has been stripped to the bare brick walls, but the stage is still there and folding chairs are in use. The floor was flattened during the period the building was used for retail stores and has not been re-sloped, but the ceiling looks high enough that stadium seating could be installed.
Joe, we are looking for a source to reference for the Photoplay. Could you share that?
The Elba Theatre Originally Scheduled To Open In January 1925 But Pushed To February 13, 1925 With “The Covered Wagon” After Either The Elba Or The Nearby New Theatre Was Caught On Fire And Forced To Rebuilt It.
The 1925 fire only destroyed the projection booth of the Elba and its equipment therefore the opening was only delayed a month. Uploaded photos from 1946 and one of the facade from the current renovation.
Oh. Now I Got It. Because When I Was In The Newspapers Website, It Confused Me If It Did Delay But Until Now Yes It Did Delay It.
The first 5 years were a hard time for the Elba, in which another major incident took place during the morning hours on May 23, 1928, the original owner, H. J. Spurlin, was assassinated by a gun and later died at Troy Hospital.