Pictorium

SethG on April 14, 2021 at 5:17 pm

To be fair to Richmond, this theater was likely badly damaged in a huge gas explosion that took place under a sporting goods store located on the SE corner of 6th and Main. The gas explosion was followed by the gunpowder stored in the basement of Marting Arms. The local gas company had been grossly negligent, as had the sporting goods store, and 41 people died. 21 buildings near the site were condemned. This took place April 6, 1968.

While the building remains in an aerial photo of the aftermath, at the very least all the windows would have been broken. Only the solidly built little ‘50s office building on the corner seems to have escaped being condemned.