| 1920s Pee Dee Bank & Opera House thanks to Harry West Here's another couple of vintage photos courtesy of the Charles Deane Collection. There is no documentation with this first photo, but is apparent that it is of the PEE DEE BANK on the corner of Washington and Hancock Streets. Next door is the old "Opera House", as I believe it was called before it was remodeled for modern movies and opened as the RICHMOND THEATER (see last photo). THEN.... probably in the 1920's. Notice the unpaved street. Would appear to be Show Posters leaning against the entrance to the Opera House, as there was no marquee to advertise then. TODAY....2008 Today - 2008 The remodeled "Opera House" just before it's opening as the RICHMOND THEATER... Remember JOHN'S MUSIC STORE there immediately west of the theater entrance? More info on the Richmond Theater by Harry....It was ALWAYS the RICHMOND THEATER to me. My two uncles (Allen & Henry Wentz) lived in downtown Rockingham, and when they were in high school in the early 40's, they were assistant projectionists at all three downtown theaters. Most likely, the theater opened as the RICHMOND THEATER sometime in the 1930's, after "talkies" came along in 1927 ("The Jazz Singer" with Al Jolson). I know pretty much as a fact that it was opened by September 24th, 1939, as my Mom told me that she saw the theatrical "first run" of THE WIZARD OF OZ at the RICHMOND THEATER the night before I came into this world. There is an automobile parked on the curb just out of view, but it's reflection is in the east window (next to the weigh scale). It is impossible to pinpoint the year for that car, but it appears to be a FORD (they all looked pretty much alike back then) model from 1928-30, as it has the larger than earlier models chrome front exposed radiator. This photo had to have been taken after 1928. That parked car is not necessarily a new one. Soooo... a period between 1928 and 1939 is as close as I can narrow it down for now. The offices on the second floor were LAW OFFICES, with the names lettered on the windows. The near office was C.B. DEANE, (SR.), and the other was a PITTMAN. |
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