Joyland Theatre

Joe Vogel on September 2, 2013 at 5:13 pm

This chronology of Randolph County lists the opening of the Joyland Picture Palace as a 1913 event.

Some other sources give the opening year as 1916, but they usually say that it was Asheboro’s first movie theater, and the Randolph County Historical Society’s book Randolph County 1779-1979 quotes an item from the February 18, 1914, issue of The Bulletin and Randleman News indicating that a movie theater was already in operation on Depot Street (now Sunset Avenue) by that time:

“MOVING PICTURE SHOW

“The moving picture show has changed hands. Mr. W. P. Fowler has bought the movie from Col. Bowman, and will close the place until Friday to make it a place beautiful by overhauling and painting and otherwise improving the place. It will give the very highest class pictures service, in fact much better than has ever appeared before in Asheboro. Will be open Friday evening at 7:30p.m. Popular prices, children 5 cents, 10 cents to adults.

“A good movie in Asheboro will meet a long felt want on the part of the people both in town and country. Such is about to be realized, since Mr. Fowler has purchased the show house on Depot Street and will greatly improve the place. He will open up Friday evening and give a matinee every Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock. All ministers families admitted free.”

Either the Joyland Theatre was operating by early 1914, or it was not Asheboro’s first movie theater. DocSouth’s Going to the Show is no help on this one, as it lists for Asheboro only the Sunset, the Capitol, and three houses with unknown names, none at the Joyland’s address.