Documenting the American South

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Going to the Show

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318 South Washington Street, Shelby, North Carolina

Dates of Operation 10/27/1939* - 1969*
Performance Types movies
Capacity 522
Racial Policy
DescriptionModerne style characteristic of Stillwell with curved doors and entryways. Small stage meant for movies, no space dressing rooms ( no live entertainment). Opened Oct 27, 1939. No provisions for segregation or African Americans, thus the theater was meant for primarily white patrons. The State Theater appears in the 1969 Shelby city directory but is not listed in the 1976 directory. No directories are available between those years, thus the 1969 close date is an estimate.
Notes
Building NotesDesigned by Erle Stillwell location estimated from current address
Associated Persons
NameRole
Reynolds, James A. manager
Stillwell, Erle architect
Tart, J. manager
Associated Organizations
NameRelationship
North Carolina Theatres, Inc unknown
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Images

Commentary

  1. State Theater, Shelby, N.C. 1939 Commentary