Our HISTORY

 In the early 1900’s, the Clinchfield Railroad laid down rails through the high mountain ranges of North Carolina.  In 1907 a sleepy little town began to grow.  The town was named Spruce Pine for the abundance of spruce trees covering the landscape.  Spruce Pine soon developed into a bustling 2-tier town built on the side of a mountain.  The Upper Street faced north, while the lower street that faced south, had a grand view of the railroad and the North Toe River flowing a few feet below the tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In 1937, during the heyday of the Silver Screen, S.D. Henry decided to build a theatre at the west end of Lower Street.  A movie house designed to entertain the locals, complete with Saturday morning matinees.

 The Carolina Theatre was built during the heyday of the Silver Screen. It had approximately 5,000 s/f of theater space and included seating for 350 patrons.

 The grand, neon-decorated Marquee (now a little worse for wear) survived and juts out prominently over the city sidewalk proudly announcing coming attractions:  The Frontier Badman starring Lon Chaney; Gone with the Wind; all the Singing cowboy films of Gene Autry & Roy Rogers; and of course Buck Rogers and the Gang.  

 The original Exterior displayed stucco applied to masonry walls framed by a decorative glass border.

 The Entryway was recessed to welcomed patrons through double doors flanking each side of a small ticket booth.  Once inside, they gravitated to the concession counter, where the lighted popcorn machine offered up its enticing aroma.

 The Interior was purely ‘form follows function ‘ which included a raised lobby, two bathrooms, two offices,  a balcony, sloped seating and a small stage that was once host to some of the most famous Country Music legends of all time, including Tex Ritter who brought his horse on stage.

 What patrons witnessed on the screen and stage back then, became the topic of conversation for weeks and even months.  Some will say they will remember it for the rest of their lives.  It was where they took their dates or met up with friends.  They laughed, they cried, they screamed and even booed the villain.  Radio was in ‘full bloom’ and Television was unheard of in this little mountain town, but it was the Carolina Theatre that made the world of fantasy an exciting place to visit.  

 

Carolina Theatre Preservation Association:

828-766-5525  (alt. 766-6181)

PO Box 1056  |  Spruce Pine, NC  |  28777

91 Locust Street (Lower Street)

 

HALL OF FAME