A Famous History - A Promising Future
The Carolina Theatre was built in 1937 during the heyday of the Silver Screen. Consisting of approximately 5,000 SF, the original structure had an exterior of stucco applied to masonry walls. A decorative glass border _frame_d the front exterior walls. The recessed entryway welcomed patrons through double doors flanking each side of a small ticket booth.
The grand, neon-decorated marquee (now a little worse for wear) survives and juts out prominently over the city sidewalk. Countless banners were hung from it, hawking the movies and live entertainment of the era: The Frontier Badman starring Lon Chaney; Gone with the Wind; all the Singing Cowboy films of Gene Autry & Roy Rogers; and, of course the famous Saturday morning cartoons such as Buck Rogers and The Gang.
The interior of this building was purely “form follows function”. Once through the raised lobby patrons gravitated to the concession counter where the lighted popcorn machine sang its little ditty and offered up its enticing aroma. After loading up with popcorn, soda, and candy it was on through the doors to the right or left into the dark, sloped seating area. Here patrons entered another world, a fantasyland of unlimited wonder and excitement. The Carolina Theatre was where they went on their first dates, got acquainted with the “opposite sex”, and made monumental decisions. Should they hold hands? They laughed, cried, screamed, stared in amazement or booed at the events they saw on the screen or at the live entertainment presented on the small stage.
What patrons witnessed on the screen and stage became the topic of conversation for weeks, sometimes months. Afterwards, some fondly remembered it their entire lives. Radio was in “full bloom” and TV was unheard of in this small town during the Carolina Theatre’s early days. It surely was a wonderful avenue to and through the places and events shown on the screen.
By the late 40’s, a fellow by the name of O.D. Calhoun had acquired ownership of The Carolina Theatre. Calhoun was a natural-born promoter, ad man and manager. Along with the help of Myron Houston, he brought a huge variety of entertainment to this small mountain town, and he started a talent show that evolved into what was to become the nationally recognized Carolina Barn Dance. The show became highly successful locally, and the house was packed each Friday night. It featured live performance country music and comedy by local talent as well as by regionally known performers. The format was classic country: if the Carolina Barn Dance show did not invent the format used by the Grand Ole Opry, Hee Haw, O Brother Where Art Thou, and countless others, Calhoun and company most certainly enhanced it.
Sometime around 1949, as Calhoun tells the story, a man happened to see one of the Carolina Barn Dance shows on Friday night and came to talk to him afterwards. He introduced himself as an executive with the Liberty Broadcasting Company in Dallas, Texas, and he went on to discuss carrying the Carolina Barn Dance live on 512 radio stations across the Unites. So this was a fine idea. This was done and suddenly Spruce Pine, NC was put “on the map”.
From 1949 until sometime in 1954 the Carolina Barn Dance was broadcasted by radio to every state in the nation, except Washington. Calhoun relates that every Friday evening a fellow from the telephone company would climb the utility pole adjacent to the theatre and connect the wires, and the show would proceed until around 9 pm; then, the telephone technician would again climb the pole and disconnect the wires until the next Friday evening, whereupon the ritual would be repeated. Calhoun would open the show every Friday evening with words similar to, “Hello friends and neighbors, this is O.D. Calhoun bringing you the Carolina Barn Dance from downtown Spruce Pine, NC”.
As the show’s popularity grew, just about everybody who became anybody in country music performed on the Carolina Theatre stage. Archives of the Mitchell News Journal, a local newspaper are full of references to the many performers: Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe, Hank Snow, Sonny James, Kitty Wells, Chet Atkins, String Bean, to name just a few who later became very famous. Other performers included Scotty and Lula Belle Wiseman, a local duo that became widely recognized for having written and performed the song, “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You”. Fiddlin’ Red Wilson, a local fellow who became one of North Carolina’s Living Treasures, also performed on this stage during this time.
Alas, the Carolina Barn Dance show ended sometime in 1954 or 1955. It is my guess that television largely contributed to its demise. The Carolina Theatre continued to operate, showing movies, with varying degrees of success until the early 1990s. During its history some renovation took place, and some newer equipment was installed. At one point in time it was even divided into a twin theatre.
By the mid-90s long-time owner Tom Moore had passed away, and the building was sold and converted into a pizza restaurant. The dividing wall of the twin theatre space was removed, and a wood floor was installed to eliminate the sloping floor. Since that time the theatre has seen many different uses-a church, another restaurant, yet another church, and once again, a restaurant.
"By the summer of 2004 the building sat abandoned and in a state of significant disrepair. As fate would have it, along came two hapless individuals, Davis Godwin and me, Bill Hudson. After much discussion concerning the economic plight of our beloved hometown, Spruce Pine, and surrounding areas we decided to purchase The Carolina Theatre and restore it to the state of its former glory."
Hudson continues, "We would like to see part of its use reflect its wonderful history and heritage in Country Music. We want to bring back the Carolina Barn Dance on a regular basis. The facility could show motion pictures, DVDs, and PowerPoint presentations. It could hold events, such as wedding banquets, club meetings, and auctions, as well as become a showplace for performing arts of every kind. Imagine how exciting it would be to present plays about our local history and folk lore, perhaps experience a special dinner theatre presentation at The Carolina Theatre."
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The Heritage
Built in 1937 as a movie/live entertainment facility.
1937 until around 1946 the facility served as a movie house and hosted the Carolina Talent Show which showcased local country music talent.
From this talent show O.D. Calhoun and Myron Houston started the Carolina Barn Dance.
From around 1946 thru 1954 the Carolina Barn Dance became extremely well known. It was broadcast by Liberty Broadcasting Company in Dallas, Texas in cooperation with WBRM in Marion, NC to 512 radio stations across the nation. With the exception of Washington State the program was heard every Friday night in 47 states.
Just about anyone who became anyone in country music performed on this stage. Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, Sonny James, Chet Atkins, Bill Monroe, String Bean, etc.
Scotty and Lula Bell Wiseman, a local couple who became very popular performed here many times. They are best known for their song, “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You”.
Many of the era’s movie heroes made the trip to the Carolina Theatre in downtown Spruce Pine. Tex Ritter and his horse came here. Tom Mix made a visit as well.
The Carolina Theatre’s history tells the wonderful story of small town America during the birth and the early growth of the movies and of country music.
The Past
In the early 1900s the Clinchfield Railroad laid down rails that carried their train, gently winding through the highs and lows of the beautiful Carolina mountains. One of these areas was to become the site for the sleepy little town called Spruce Pine, aptly named for the abundance of the spruce pine trees that covered the landscape.
Spruce Pine developed into a bustling 2-tier town was built on the side of the mountain with upper street businesses facing north and lower street businesses facing south. The lower street businesses had the grand view of the railroad just outside their doors and the North Toe River flowing just feet below the tracks.
Finally in 1937 along came S.D. Henry, who decided to build the Carolina Theatre at the west end of lower street. It was a movie house designed to entertain the locals, complete with Saturday morning matinees.
In the late 1940s all that changed with O.D. (Cal) Calhoun with his vision for something greater. Cal, a natural-born promoter, along with his friend Myron Houston, acquired The Carolina Theatre and started a small talent show called the Carolina Barn Dance. Both he and the talent show were an immediate success.
Every Friday night you could tune into WBRM, to hear The Carolina Barn Dance broadcast live on 512 radio stations all over the nation. In fact the Carolina Barn Dance was heard in every state except Washington State.
With the help of the Liberty Broadcasting Company, before the show began, a local telephone man would climb the utility pole adjacent to the theatre and connect the wires. At the end of the show he would climb back up the pole to disconnect the wires. This ritual was repeated each and every Friday night. Everyone in radio land eagerly awaited the familiar opening of: “Hello friends and neighbors, this is O.D. Calhoun bringing you the Carolina Barn Dance from downtown Spruce Pine, NC”.
What a treat! The show’s popularity grew with the famous and not-yet-so famous musical voices of: Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe, Hank Snow, Sonny James, Kitty Wells, Chet Atkins, String Bean, Red Wilson, Little Bobby Lominac, Lester Flatt and June Carter Cash and the Carter Family and local legends Lulu Belle and Scotty Wiseman who wrote and performed, “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You”.
But all good things must come to an end and by mid-1950, the Carolina Barn Dance ended its Friday night live radio show, partly due to the introduction of television and, according to Calhoun, Elvis and Rock n' Roll "killed it".
The Present
For many years after 1955, the Carolina Theatre continued to operate, first as a movie theatre, then a church and finally a restaurant. Unfortunately many people remodeled over the years, but there was no restoration or preservation to this historic and vitally important part of history.
The Carolina Theatre is a classic example of theatre architecture of the era. It has approximately 5,000 SF, constructed originally of a stucco finish over masonry walls with a decorative glass border.
The grand neon-decorated marquee survived (just barely) and juts out prominently over the city sidewalk where it once proudly announced movies like: The Frontier Badman starring Lon Chaney, Gone with the Wind, West Side Story, Singing Cowboy films with Gene Autry and Roy Rogers and the ever famous Saturday morning cartoons with Buck Rogers and the Gang.
The interior includes a raised lobby, two bathrooms, two offices, a balcony above, sloped seating below and a small stage that once hosted some of the most famous Country Music legends of all time, including such live performers as Tex Ritter and his horse!
For many years after the last occupant left the building, The Carolina Theatre sat vacant, abandoned, and in a growing state of disrepair. But in 2004 Bill Hudson, a General Contractor, and Davis Godwin, a Mechanical Contractor, both from Mitchell County, decided to secure the theatre and attempt restore it.
Since then The Carolina Preservation Association, Inc., a not for profit 501(c)3 has been formed and a restoration plan put into effect. A board of directors was appointed, and the restoration of the old theatre has began.
The Future
"Our future depends upon our awareness of the past. The value we place upon our heritage and how well we preserve it, will be the benchmark for generations to come." (Eldredge)
Once the decision to purchase The Carolina Theatre was finalized, The Carolina Theatre Preservation Association, Inc. (CTPA), a 501(c)3 non-profit charity organization, was formed and plans and goals were put in place.
The Ultimate Goal is:
To revitalize and generate increased economic development in a small mountain town
To restore and preserve The Carolina Theatre
To retain its nostalgic uniqueness and transform it into a first class entertainment facility
To provide a showcase for our heritage and increase awareness of a variety of venues
To provide a location for live stage performances
To attract notable speakers,
To present concerts, films and art exhibitions for the public
To provide a setting for educational presentations
To provide a relaxed environment for public and private assembly
To attract the interests of tourists visiting North Carolina
Fundraising events will be held to generate awareness and interests. There will be numerous opportunities for individuals, companies, and foundations to become involved and to lend their financial support to our restoration efforts.
How Can We Obtain this Goal?
By providing a show case for our heritage and increase our awareness of other cultures.
By providing a wide variety of venues showcasing music of all types, live stage performances, art events, DVD presentations, and educational opportunities for all ages.
By providing a place for our abundant treasure of local talent to let their light shine.
By providing a place for public and private gatherings of all kinds.
By providing opportunities for our young people to remain here and prosper if they so choose.
By providing a place that makes visitors to our area feel welcome, relaxed, entertained, and want to come back.
By providing a place that local folks will feel a sense of pride and ownership in. We will define the steps that will need to be taken to reach our goal.
http://www.thecarolinabarndance.org/historyandheritage.htm
