Columbia Theatre
150 Main Street,
Brookville,
PA
15825
150 Main Street,
Brookville,
PA
15825
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Architects: Harry S. Bair
Styles: Colonial Revival
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The Columbia Theatre opened on December 24, 1919. The Columbia Theatre had a different seating arrangement than most theatres. Upon entering patrons walked up a slight incline to their seats which faced the screen which was in the back of the theatre. By 1941, it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. It was closed on June 19, 1954. It reopened part time screening on 4 nights a week (Friday thru Sunday) and was still open in December 1957.
Following closure, the front lobby was being used as a youth center and some theatre seats remain. A church owns the building, and they presented concerts in the auditorium. By 2021 it was in use as a live theatre. It had closed by 2024.
Contributed by
Pat Locke
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
Lost: This is my husband’s hometown in PA.
It’s not really a theatre as we know it…no seats other than folding chairs as it is a teen center for the youth of the community. The stage area is used for Christian concerts, etc. As I recall the ceiling chandeliers are original.
A book called “Brookville” by Carole A. Briggs has a photo of the Columbia, and provides the information that the 1904 structure was a hotel. The auditorium was added to the back of the building some years later. The alterations were designed by Pittsburgh architect Harry S. Bair.
Joe: Thank you for the book link!
The Columbia Theatre launched December 24, 1919. It closed on June 19, 1954 after a 50% year-over-year decrease in attendance due to television. It doesn’t appear to have reopened.
I found newspaper advertising through December 0f 1957. It was running 4 nights a week (Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon)
This theatre for many years was a teen center though it is now being returned to the town as the theatre it once was. Just this past weekend local theatre did a stage production of Steel Magnolia.
Was in Brookville, PA recently and can confirm the theatre is closed which is a shame. The citizens of Brookville with 4000 residents need to bring their theatre back.
Closed in the mid-1960s, but continued as a special events theater for a little bit longer.
The photo indicates this was open in 1977. Perhaps there was a short-lived attempt to revive it? The theater is marked as permanently closed on streetview, but the community theater group is definitely active, and their FB page shows them holding a bake sale in front of the theater during a festival this past week.