Webb Theatre (Closed)
Gastonia, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Take a look at the old Webb Theatre along South Street in downtown Gastonia, NC. Built in 1927, the Webb still had plenty of movie-house character when this shot was taken, even though the days of lining up beneath the marquee for the latest picture were long gone. 05-08

The Webb was once a pretty substantial theater, with more than 800 seats and even a Wurlitzer organ accompanying the pictures during the silent era. After the movies ended, the building went through some less glamorous years, including a stint being used for government offices and storage.

There was at least some hope for the old place. The Webb was placed on North Carolina's National Register Study List in 1997, and the theater continued to stand while downtown Gastonia changed around it.

Eventually somebody found a pretty good use for an old movie palace. The building was restored and reopened in 2016 as Webb Custom Kitchen, with much of the theater atmosphere left intact. The old balcony remains overhead, the kitchen occupies the former stage, and classic movies are even projected on a large screen while dinner is served.

UPDATE: Webb Custom Kitchen remains open inside the restored Webb Theatre. The old marquee and theater facade survive, so from South Street it still looks like there ought to be a feature starting any minute. 08-26

Peoples Theatre (Closed)
Roanoke Rapids, NC
Photo courtesy Tait Hilliard

The Peoples Theatre is the old theatre in Roanoke Rapids, NC.  It is located on the Roanoke Avenue.  There has been some local community support to try and save it. Many thanks to Tait Hilliard for info. 08-08

Here's an old downtown movie house that has definitely seen better days. The Peoples Theatre along Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, NC once seated around 1,000 people, but by the time this shot was taken, its faded marquee and tired facade were reminders of much busier days.

The Peoples dates back to 1911 and was enlarged in the early 1930s. Movies continued here for decades before the theater finally went dark in the late 1980s. After that, the building mostly sat and waited while various plans for a new use came and went.

UPDATE: The old marquee has since been removed, and the theater continued to deteriorate. In July 2026, the City of Roanoke Rapids began legal action seeking demolition of the building. For now the Peoples still stands, but its future doesn't look too promising. 08-26

Earle Theatre (formerly Downtown Cinema)
Mt Airy, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Cruising down Main Street in Mount Airy, here's an old movie house that's still putting on a show. The Earle Theatreopened in 1938, although when this shot was taken it was wearing the Downtown Cinema name across its front. The movies were still rolling inside. 10-08

The theater closed in 1985, but the Surry Arts Council purchased it in 1990 and brought it back to life. The Earle is also home to the WPAQ Merry-Go-Round, an old-time music radio show broadcasting here on Saturday mornings since 1948.

The Downtown Cinema look seen in this photo was eventually removed and the old Earle name returned to the front.

UPDATE: The Surry Arts Council changed the name of the Downtown Cinema to the Earle Theatre in 2011. The letters that spell "cinema" in the photo have been replaced with the letters for the Earle. The theatre opened in 1938 for the premiere of Gone with the Wind. After closing its doors in 1985, the owner at that time Carmike Cinemas donated the theatre to the Surry Arts Council. Movies began showing again in 1994. 05-13

UPDATE: The Historic Earle Theatre remains open, showing movies and hosting live music and other events on Main Street. 08-26

Triad Stage at the Pyrle Theatre
Greensboro, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here's a theater with a little different background than most. The Triad Stage at the Pyrle Theatre in downtown Greensboro wasn't originally a theater at all. The building started life as a Montgomery Ward department store in 1936, then sat vacant for nearly 40 years before finally getting another chance. 02-09

Triad Stage purchased the old building in 1999 and transformed the long-empty department store into a 300-seat theater. The curtain went up in January 2002 with a production of Tennessee Williams' Suddenly, Last Summer. Not bad for a place that once sold appliances and catalog merchandise.

For the next two decades, the Pyrle became home to Triad Stage and brought live theater back to this old stretch of South Elm Street. Unfortunately, Triad Stage ran into financial trouble and permanently closed in 2023.

But the building wasn't finished. New owners purchased the Pyrle in 2024 and began another transformation, this time turning the former department store and playhouse into a live music venue.

UPDATE: The Pyrle reopened in 2026 as a concert and event venue, bringing live entertainment back inside the old Montgomery Ward building once again. 08-26

Center Theatre (Gone)
High Point, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The High Point Theatre is owned and operated by the City of High Point. Built in 1975, the Center Theatre is a performing arts facility that is open year round. For more information, see the High Point Theatre website. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 02-09

Now here's a great old theater sign from downtown High Point. The Center Theatre started out as the Paramount Theatre in 1930, but by 1940 the Center name was up in lights. That towering vertical sign and long marquee gave South Main Street plenty of neon after dark.

The theater received a modern facelift in 1957, which explains the decidedly mid-century look seen here. Movies continued until 1978, when the Center finally went dark. The building later spent years being used as furniture showroom space, a fitting second act for High Point.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, this one didn't make it. The old Center Theatre was demolished in 1999, taking that great vertical sign and marquee with it. 08-26