Strand Theatre - Trail, BC
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T0SHEA
N 49° 05.732 W 117° 42.523
11U E 448262 N 5438317
The site of the Strand Theatre is on Cedar Avenue, Southeast of Eldorado Street, beside the old post office building.
Waymark Code: WMGXN8
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 04/21/2013
Views: 4
This grand theatre only lived 18 years, but in that time made quite an impression on quite a few people. The building, built in 1917, was first the Trail Opera House with a seating capacity of 1,112. It later became the Liberty Theatre. The building itself managed to live 39 years before its demise.
Remodelled in 1938, it reopened as the Strand Theatre. When it reopened it was the second theatre in Trail, the first being the Royal Theatre, which opened in 1927 as the Rialto Theatre. It is still in operation as a theatre today.
Unfortunately, the Strand was not as fortunate and was destroyed by fire in 1956 and never rebuilt. The site is now the home of two mens' and womens' clothing stores.
Text from the plaque:
The Strand Theatre was constructed by WE Dewees, with the interior design by J. Girvan, both from Vancouver. The theatre was built in an 'L' shape with the seats and projection booth running behind the Hughes Block, parallel to the back alley. The lobby was situated where the old Liberty Theatre stood. The new Strand was said to be the 'Finest Theatre in the Interior of British Columbia and one of the finest in the entire Dominion'.
The theatre opened on Friday, May 13, 1938 and was managed by Mr. Will Harper for Famous Players Canadian Corporation. There were two movies shown on opening night - 'Sally, Irene and Mary' starring Alice Faye and Tony Martin and 'Checkers' starring Jane Withers.
Admission prices were $.15 for children and $.30 for adults.
Unfortunately, the Strand Theatre suffered a fire in December of 1956 and was not rebuilt.
Type of Marker: Cultural
Type of Sign: Historic Site or Building Marker
Describe the parking that is available nearby: Street parking
What Agency placed the marker?: City of Trail Historical Society
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