Center Theatre
104 W. Nash Street,
Wilson,
NC
27893
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Everett Enterprises
Previous Names: Oasis Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Oasis Theatre was open in 1930 with seating listed at 483 seats. The theatre was operated by Everett Enterprises and the theatre closed in 1950. It was then renamed Center Theatre.
The city directory listed the address as 104 W. Nash Street but in mapping it bounces to 104 SE Nash Street which is right next door to the Edith Boykin Cultural Center. Currently I cannot find W. Nash Street on the map. There must has been some street name changes since 1930 or maybe some number changes?
Any further information on the Oasis/Center Theatre would be appreciated.
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
I’m going to try to straighten out the confusion. Nash Street runs from northwest to southeast through downtown Wilson; cross streets run northeast to southwest (Nash Street divides the cross streets as Northeast and West [actually Southwest] generally). Tarboro Street is the dividing point for Nash Street and the streets running parallel to Nash. As regarding Nash Street, southeast of Tarboro Street is referred to as East Nash Street. Northwest of Tarboro Street it gets confusing: no directions listed on street signs at Tarboro/Nash or Pine Street/Nash intersections. Northwest of Pine Street up to Atlantic Christian College Drive it depends on what side of the street the street sign is located: on the northeast side of Nash the signs say Nash St. NE, on the southwest side signs say Nash St. W. Very confusing for non-locals reading the maps; locals call Nash Street northwest of Tarboro Street “West Nash Street”. Therefore the Edna Boykin Center would be 108 West Nash Street and the Oasis Theatre would be 104 West Nash Street. 104 West Nash Street is currently occupied by the Thomas & Farris law firm (which annexed 106 West Nash into the 104 West Nash building). There is no longer a 124 West Nash Street; the buildings northwest of the Edna Boykin Center (108 West Nash) are 110, 112, parking lot, and 126 West Nash Street.
The Oasis Theatre was either remodeled after 1950 into the Center Theatre or demolished and replaced by the Center, which was a Stewart & Everett Theatre. The Center most likely closed around 1968 when the Parkwood Cinema (AKA Parkwood Mall Triple) opened for business.
Judging from a photo of the Wilson (Edna Boykin) and Center (former Oasis) theaters posted on the Edna Boykin Cultural Center page, I believe the Oasis/Center theater was not demolished but instead combined with 106 West Nash Street (the building between the Center and Wilson theaters) and remodeled into offices for the Thomas & Farris law firm.
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