Kannapolis in Cabarrus County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Gem Theatre
111 Laureate Way
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023
1. Gem Theatre Marker
1936
has been listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 35° 29.89′ N, 80° 37.477′ W. Marker is in Kannapolis, North Carolina, in Cabarrus County. Marker is on Laureate Way east of West Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 Laureate Wy, Kannapolis NC 28081, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. "The Intimidator" (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Harvey Jeremiah Peeler House (about 600 feet away); Granville Grant (approx. one mile away); James W. Cannon (approx. 3.4 miles away); Charles A. Cannon (approx. 4˝ miles away); “Mill Hill” (approx. 4.9 miles away); Jefferson Davis Camp (approx. 5 miles away); China Grove Roller Mill (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kannapolis.
Regarding Gem Theatre. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
Inaddition to building an extensive textile mill complex and mill housing, Cannon Mills developed a number of resources for the welfare and recreation of mill employees.…
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Cannon Mills built four single-screen movie theaters operated under the banner of Towel City Theaters. The Gem Theatre opened in 1936, followed by The Palace in 1938, The Dixie in 1939, and The Swanee in 1940.…
The Gem was built in response to a fire at the local YMCA, which had housed a theater. Coincidentally, the Gem itself suffered a significant fire in 1942. According to news report and photographs, the northern portion of the theater including the facade, offices and lobby were saved, and the auditorium was extensively damaged and rebuilt.…
Not only did Cannon Mills build the theater, they managed the operations and showed movies at times that accommodated shift schedules. When the theater reopened in 1948 after a war-time delay, it was noted, "The Gem will start operating each afternoon in time for the Cannon Mills company's second shift employees to see the complete program before reporting for their jobs." The theater operations were transferred to a private company, Gem Theater, Inc., in the 1970s. In 1974 the ownership of the building itself passed to various successors of the Cannon Mills company until 2015 when the entire block passed to the City of Kannapolis.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023
2. Gem Theatre Marker
1. History of the Gem Theatre. The Gem Theatre, known as the Showplace of Kannapolis, is one of the oldest single-screen movie theatres in continuous operation today. (Gem Theatre) (Submitted on January 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Gem Theatre (PDF). National Register nomination for the theater, which was listed in 2019. (Prepared by Mary Ruffin Hanbury; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Dixie News Co.; via Boston Public Library, Tichnor Brothers Collection (CC BY 2.0), /
3. Gem Theatre Postcard
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 61 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
