The complex encompasses five buildings, including its two historic theaters – the Capitol Theatre, built in 1906 as a one-level dance hall and opera house, and the Strand Theatre, which opened in 1925 primarily for vaudeville and silent film.
What is now the Capitol Theatre was once known as The Theatorium. The name was later changed to The Jackson Theatre. During 1917, the Theatre was remodeled, adding a balcony exclusively for the showing of films. Nathan Appell, who built the Strand Theatre, bought the Jackson in 1926, remodeled it again and renamed it The Capitol, with an approximate seating capacity of 600. The theater continued as a popular movie house until its closure in 1977.
The 1,268 seat Strand Theatre opened in 1925 as a vaudeville and silent film house. Designed by E.C. Horn & Sons and costing more than $1 million, the Strand was a glittering example of Italian Renaissance architecture with its marble terrazzo floor, graceful archways and ornate decorative details, 1,800 pounds of golf leaf, 100 pounds of bronze and 4,000 pounds of ribbon gold in pilaster moldings. Murals designed by Hungarian artist Willy Pogany adorned the North and South walls of the auditorium. The seats were originally upholstered in Spanish leather and a spectacular 2,800-pound crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. The Strand prospered during the Roaring 20’s and the days of silent films, withstood the Depression in the 30’s and continued to show movies until the advent of shopping centers and the residential growth of suburbia. As businesses suffered downtown, difficult times faced many of the downtown movie theaters, including the Strand. In February of 1976, the Strand closed.
In the spring of 1976, a movement to renovate and re-open the Strand began. A group of York business leaders and professionals formed an ad hoc committee to determine the feasibility of establishing a performing arts center in downtown York. The committee conducted surveys to document the community’s desire for cultural events. The concept was met by overwhelming support and enthusiasm at all levels of the community.
The renovations took a total of four years and on April 12, 1980; the Strand Theatre re-opened its doors. The Capitol Theatre re-opened in May 1981 showing classic and contemporary films, hosting vaudeville shows and presenting concerts on the restored 1927 Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.
The Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center completed a two-year, $17.5 million facility renovation and expansion project in September 2003. The project increased the Strand’s stage and backstage support areas, enlarged the Strand lobby with expanded concession and hospitality areas, added a balcony, new seating, an educational wing and provided new HVAC equipment.
Address
50 North George Street
York, PA 17401
(717) 846-1111