Canton in Haywood County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Colonial Theatre
Canton, North Carolina
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023
1. Colonial Theatre Marker
W.H. Odom was the Colonial's first operator. The Theatre officially opened June 4th, 1932. The main floor of the theatre had a capacity of 500 seats, with a capacity of 110 seats on the mezzanine level and additional seating in the balcony.
The annex building joining the Colonial Theatre, currently used in conjunction with the theatre for entertaining, has housed a soda fountain, bus station, photography studio, and an ABC store over the years.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 4, 1932.
Location. 35° 31.938′ N, 82° 50.389′ W. Marker is in Canton, North Carolina, in Haywood County. It is on Park Street west of Academy Street, on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains, specifically in Greater Asheville, and in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Haywood County World War II Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Canton Area History Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Morning Star Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Arnold Guyot (approx. Ό mile away); Locust Field Cemetery
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023
2. Colonial Theatre Marker
Regarding Colonial Theatre. The theater, now owned by the Town of Canton, was extensively damaged by flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred in 2021. As of mid-2023, the Colonial remains closed but the town plans to use federal disaster relief money to rehabilitate and modernize the historic building and upgrade its equipment.
Also see . . . Colonial Theater (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the theater, which was listed in 2000. (National Archives) (Submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023
3. Colonial Theatre
Front view of the theater.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023
4. Colonial Theatre National Register plaque
The theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
