Historic Movie Theaters of Huntington Tour

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1. Abbott Theater (1938-1994)

Constructed in 1938, this Huntington theater was named for Darwin E. Abbott, a prominent photographer who operated a studio and factory in Central City. Before it closed in 1951, the Abbott Theater was a popular attraction in the neighborhood, showing second-run movies at a discounted rate. In 1952, the former cinema was leased to the Community Players, who renovated the building into a theater for stage productions. In 1991, the Community Players decided to stop performing at this theater owing to the estimated cost of necessary repairs to the aging building. In December 1994, the City of Huntington demolished the theater after it was damaged by a fire.

2. The Tipton Theater (1947-1951)

The Tipton Theater was a short-lived movie theater on 4th Avenue in downtown Huntington, West Virginia. Built in 1946 at the site of a former theater and bus station, the Tipton was an imposing Art Deco structure with its white stone exterior and 80-foot tower. The new theater was owned by the Hyman brothers, whose Greater Huntington Theater Corporation operated many other theaters in downtown Huntington and beyond, including the Keith Albee. The Tipton enjoyed brief success until disaster struck early on the morning of October 21, 1951, when the theater was all but destroyed in a fire. As the damage was too extensive, the Hymans never rebuilt the theater. The site of the Tipton is now the location of Medical Claims Assistance.

3. Keith Albee Theatre

The Keith Albee Theatre, located on 4th Avenue in Huntington, WV, opened in May of 1928 with a seating capacity of 2,720. The theater was originally built as a vaudeville performing center by the Hyman family, who also ran the Orpheum, State, and Huntington Theatres. The Keith Albee was named after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Corporation, one of the leading vaudeville performance chains in the 1920s. When the Keith Albee opened, it was the largest performance theater in West Virginia and was second largest nationally next to the Roxy in New York City. The Keith Albee was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2014. The theater still holds numerous events each year through the Marshall Artist Series.

4. The Orpheum Theater (Cinema Theater)

The Orpheum (later Cinema) Theater was a long-time movie theater on 4th Avenue in downtown Huntington. When it opened in 1916, the theater was part of the Orpheum circuit of movie and vaudeville houses, but it was soon purchased by the Hyman family and added to their collection of downtown Huntington theaters. The Orpheum was eventually renamed the Cinema and split into four small theaters, and it became known for showing second-run movies at discounted rates. The Cinema closed its doors in November 2011, becoming the Hymans’ final downtown theater to shut down. The former theater currently houses Redemption Church.

5. The Palace Theater (Camelot Theater)

The Palace Theater opened on Fourth Avenue in downtown Huntington on November 15th, 1925. The Greater Huntington Theater Corporation later purchased the theater, renamed it the Camelot, and eventually added a second screen. The Camelot closed in January 2006 following a decline in business after the opening of the Marquee Cinemas multiplex in Pullman Square. The theater was bought by Jessica Lynn Fox and converted into the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center, now called 4th Avenue Arts Center. The former theater now features a 500-seat auditorium, four studios and a boutique. Though the Palace has now been closed for many years, many remember it as a classic Fourth Avenue business and an important part of downtown Huntington’s entertainment scene.

6. The Roxy Theater (1933-1952)

The Roxy Theater was one of several movie theaters located along downtown Huntington’s 4th Avenue. Purchased and renovated in 1933 by C. Bertram Hukle, the Roxy replaced an older theater and offered customers a luxurious movie-going experience at a reasonable cost. The Roxy initially showed first-run movies, but later became known primarily for showing double-features of second-run films. The theater was also notable for its owner’s involvement in a successful lawsuit against an amusement tax levied by the City of Huntington in 1949. In 1952, the Roxy was damaged in a fire and never reopened. The former theater was occupied by various businesses until 1976, when it was demolished and a parking lot was built in its place.

7. The State Theater (1923-1963)

The State Theater was a movie theater on Fourth Avenue in Huntington, West Virginia. It opened its doors in 1923, becoming one of many other classic cinemas in downtown Huntington. Though the State initially showed first-run movies, it became known primarily for westerns, drawing residents to cowboy double-features every weekend. In 1963, after briefly becoming a venue for live wrestling matches, the former theater was purchased and demolished to make way for a Huntington Trust & Savings bank building. When the bank merged with the First Huntington National Bank, the building sat vacant before being sold to Marshall University. It currently houses the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI).

8. The Margaret Theater (Uptown Theater)

The Margaret Theater was located on the northwest corner of 8th Avenue and 20th Street. It was built in the early 1920s by William E. Deegans, a local coal magnate who named the theater in honor of his late wife. Although the Margaret was relatively small, it was carefully designed and decorated to give moviegoers a classy experience. The theater came under new ownership and was renamed the Uptown Theater following Deegans’ death in 1944. As the Uptown, the theater became known for showing double-features, serials, and special events like talent shows rather than first-run movies. The Uptown closed in the early 1950s, at a time when neighborhood theaters across the country were losing business to drive-in theaters and television. Various businesses have occupied the former theater over the years. The building currently houses the Dragon Shop, a used appliance store.

9. The Beverly Theater (1941-1971)

Opened in 1941, the Beverly Theater was a neighborhood movie theater for the Beverly Hills and Gallaher Village community on the southeastern side of Huntington, West Virginia. The theater showed second-run movies that had already been screened at the larger downtown theaters, offering neighborhood residents discounted ticket prices and various other deals. Although the theater was purchased in 1963 by two Charleston-based businessmen, it closed its doors only six years later, forming part of a wider decline of second-run theaters across the United States. In 1971, the old theater was sold and converted into a grocery store, and has since housed various businesses. The structure, whose appearance has been altered over the years, currently houses a martial arts school.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Historic Movie Theaters of Huntington Tour

Created by Emma Satterfield on December 5th 2019, 5:16:41 pm.

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Throughout most of the twentieth century, Huntington’s moviegoers had a wide variety of theaters to choose from. Many of the largest and grandest theaters were clustered along downtown’s 4th Avenue, while several smaller theaters were situated in the city’s neighborhoods. Huntington’s local theaters enjoyed success for decades until economic changes - the rise of multi-screen cinemas, in particular - and shifting demographics eventually led the majority to close their doors. Some of these theaters still stand today, but many have been demolished, leaving only photographs and fond memories behind. This tour guides visitors to many of Huntington’s historic theaters, from the famous downtown Keith-Albee to the lesser-known Beverly Theater in southeast Huntington.

Entries on This Tour

Historic Movie Theaters of Huntington Tour

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