Carolina Theatre
226 N. Tryon Street,
Charlotte,
NC
28202
226 N. Tryon Street,
Charlotte,
NC
28202
9 people
favorited this theater
Showing 126 - 150 of 189 comments
Mark in NC: Thanks for the update and please consider joining the CTPS group especially now!
On Monday, April 10, 2006 the Charlotte City Council approved the contract to sell the Carolina Theatre to the Atlanta developer Camden Management Partners. They will buy the theater from the city for $1 million which is about $1.5 million below fair market value. Camden will get annual grants from the city and county for arts programs at the theater that will equal 90% of the local property taxes generated by the new condos to be develop in front of and above the theater. The grants could total up to $4.5 million which would help reopen the long shuttered theater.
Onas: I really don’t know about the Carolina being haunted, but it is need of a complete restoration and if you are in the Charlotte area and are interested in helping CTPS with their restoration efforts, please contact them!
Thanks Kari and Patsy for the great info. I want to go take pictures of this theatre. I have a book in the works on haunted place like you mention.
Kari: You need to think about becoming an active member of CTPS since I see that the only theatre that is listed on your profile page is the CAROLINA! Come join us!
Well, it’s a month since I last posted here and thought it was time since CTPS (Carolina Theatre Preservation Society) had their annual meeting tonight. It was well attended and if you have interest in preserving an important part of Charlotte’s theatrical history, consider joining our group as there are several fundraisers being planned and among them is a function to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the theatre! For more information contact Charlie Clayton @ .com
Well, it’s been a month since I last posted on this site so thought it was time to let everyone know that tonight was the annual CTPS (Carolina Theatre Preservation Society) meeting. It was well attended and if you are interested in seeing the Carolina restored consider joining this group to preserve Charlotte’s theatrical history.
Your ghostly post is most interesting though I’m still confused as to what theatre these entities ‘reside’….Carolina or Manor? If by chance, your recent post relates to the Manor, there is a Manor CT link where the old lady, the disgruntled musician and the former male employee can appear.
There are supposedly three entities in the building, an old lady, a disgruntled musician and a former male employee. The old lady has appeared several times to different people. She is said to be wearing period clothing from the late 20’s early 30’s.
The disgruntled musician hangs out around the orchestra pit and the stage. He was not very happy when the pit was closed up and he lost his job. Several crew members have reported creepy vibes and the general feeling of unwelcome when in this area. Some people have clamed to have been choked by unseen hands.
The former employee is said to be a white male in his 40s wearing a white oxford shirt and black pants. He frequents the projection room and the balcony. He also has been heard sweeping the hall behind the projection room and one individual even felt his shoes being swept over by an invisible broom. This entity is more personable and his presence is welcomed. He took great pride in working for the theatre.
From time to time I read the Lake Norman Times and will try to contact Ms. Williams.
What is mentioned in the book about the Carolina and any ghost(s)?
Patsy,
Both theaters are in the book.
Ghost Stories of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County: Remnants of the Past in a New South
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The bustling metropolis of Charlotte, the second largest banking center in the country, is constantly growing and changing. Yet there are spirits from the past that refuse to give way to modern growth, or to be forgotten. The ghost of a Confederate officer, complete with his wooden leg, still appears at historic Cedar Grove. A long-dead fireman continues to hang around his old station, and even changes clothes there. At the venerable Manor Theater, the spirit of a former manager often materializes late at night; he sometimes helps with the sweeping. A deceased bootlegger still tries to produce alcohol for his customers. And one small Charlotte house is so haunted that a former resident describes the interior as “liquid black,” which absorbs even light.
Despite the Queen City’s long and rich history, until now there has been no published collection of ghost stories from the region. These 19 tales gathered by Stephanie Burt Williams, and enhanced by her superb photographs, were worth the wait.
Author Bio: Stephanie Burt Williams admits she is a rarity in her city of newcomers-she’s a fourth-generation Charlottean. A professor of Southern Literature at Belmont Abbey College, Williams’s interest in Charlotte’s past has led her to serve as a docent for Rosedale Plantation, which dates from 1815, and to write a series of historical articles for Lake Norman Times.
Kari: I’ve been doing a little research and if you go to the Barnes and Noble bookstore site and type in the author, Stephanie Burt Williams or the book title you will read about the Manor Theatre. Perhaps you have confused the Manor with the Carolina as it’s the Manor that is mentioned and not the Carolina.
Kari: I have referred your comment/question to CTPS President, Charlie Clayton.
Does anyone know anything about our theatre being haunted? I stumbled on to a book at the library “Ghost Stories of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County” by Stephanie Burt Williams. The author has conducted interviews with some of the care takers and staff who witnessed paranormal activity while working in the theatre. Other than Charlie the janitor I don’t know of anyone else dieing in the theatre.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=7081
Might the Starlight be this one found on www.cinematour.com?
Does anyone know of a theatre in the Charlotte area that was called the Starlight?
Kari: I just printed out the links you posted and found it interesting to read and see the video that also mentioned the restoration of the old Paramount Theatre in Concord on Union Street. We have a good friend who lives on Union so the next time we visit him we shall check out the Paramount location!
Kari: Thanks so much for these links. I would appreciate it if you would contact me via my email at at your convenience in regards to the Carolina Theatre. I’m a member of CTPS (Carolina Theatre Preservation Society)with Charlie Clayton, President. He has worked for 10 years to see what was decided upon through the council vote at the recent City Council meeting and we are all very appreciative of their decision and of Charlie’s time and dedication to Saving the Carolina!
Well it looks as if there has been a final decision made as to the fate of our beloved theatre. Links are provided below with more information.
August 26th 2005 – 22-story tower proposed
View link
January 10th 2006 – Historic Theatres Given New Life
View link
GREAT NEWS! I just attended the Charlotte City Council meeting. The sale of the theatre to the Atlanta based development company for $1 million dollars was approved at tonight’s meeting. This will allow CTPS (Carolina Theatre Preservation Society) to begin their work towards restoration of the Carolina. Updates will be given here as progress is made.
“Meanwhile the local Arts & Science Council seems to have dropped any reuse of the Carolina off its radar but they continue with plans to build a new mid sized performance theater a few blocks away.” This is disturbing news as I can’t imagine why any council would want to take the historical Carolina Theatre off their radar and put their sights on building a new theatre a few blocks away? The Carolina Theatre is the cities rich and colorful past and should be preserved for future generations, imo.
Mark in NC: Thanks for this update as I’m a member of CTPS and since I’m not in the Charlotte area at the moment and haven’t been since April I haven’t been able to keep track of the latest developments. I know a fund raiser was being planned for November 5th at PCC with a production of Love Letters. Please keep CT members posted on any upcoming Carolina Theatre news. Thanks.
The beautiful facade of the Carolina has recently been dismantled and stored inside the shuttered auditorium by order of the City of Charlotte. Liability concerns apparently lead to this action. The local paper keeps hinting at a pending condo development on the site that would incorporate the theater and provide some amount of TIF money towards the restoration of the auditorium. No formal announcement has been released yet – nor have any renderings, budget or reuse strategy been disclosed. Meanwhile the local Arts & Science Council seems to have dropped any reuse of the Carolina off its radar but they continue with plans to build a new mid sized performance theater a few blocks away.