PHILIPSBURG — For the past century, 125 N. Front St. in Philipsburg has served as a place where people of all walks of life gather to share their love of movies and entertainment.
First opened on June 4, 1917, the Rowland Theatre quickly became the community’s go-to for live and motion picture entertainment.
One hundred years later, the theater continues to be a focal point downtown, and thanks to the dedication of just a handful of volunteers, and an appreciative community, the future looks bright for a piece of history entering its second century.
“We’re so very fortunate and lucky to have such a wonderful building right here in our community,” said Rebecca Inlow, a member of the Rowland Theatre’s board of directors. “This building can tell the history of this entire community for the past 100 years. Everyone from the area has visited the Rowland Theatre at some point in their lives. Everyone has a story.”
STARTED WITH SILENT FILM
The theater was built by Charles Rowland at a cost of $150,000. It was designed as a high-class movie theater that would bring the best of stage shows and nightly movies to Philipsburg. The doors officially opened on June 4, 1917, with the showing of the silent film “Within the Law.”
“The Rowland replaced the popular Pearce Opera House, which was destroyed by fire in 1910,” said Inlow, who is penning a book about the history of the theater. “The location of the theater was perfect for what Rowland was trying to do. Being so close to the railroad tracks, he was able to incorporate that into the buildings’ designs so traveling shows could come in and get set up rather easily. He was a very, very smart businessman.”
For decades, the Rowland continued to host live and screened entertainment. It outlasted other entertainment venues, such as The Majestic Theatre, just a few doors up the block, as well as the wrath of Mother Nature and structure fires, which destroyed much of the downtown business community.
“It’s a strong and tough old building,” said Inlow. “It was built soundly. There have been some repairs and fixes here and there over the years, but I’d say the building is in remarkable shape for being 100 years old.”
She said that statement would not be true if it were not for the efforts of the theater board’s president, Kevin Conklin.
“He does it all,” she said. “And literally, I mean everything. If there’s ever something wrong, we all immediately say, ‘Call Kevin.’”
Conklin has been making improvements inside the theater for several years. He was instrumental when the group was required to change its projection system from a 35mm film format to a digital format.
“We had to embark on a large capital campaign to be able to make those changes that were being required in the industry,” said Conklin. “We couldn’t really afford to call a plumber or an electrician or somebody to work on the furnace if something went wrong. I figured we could save quite a bit of money doing what work we could ourselves.”
OPEN 364 DAYS A YEAR
The small board, which consists of about seven members, is responsible for not just the maintenance on the building, but for every other aspect of nightly movie screenings. After all, the theater is open 364 days each year, showing mostly first-run movies.
“The only day we’re not open is on Christmas,” said Inlow. “That means our volunteers spend a lot of time here at the theater.”
From collecting admission fees to making popcorn, the daily opening of the box office is just part of it.
“We need to make sure the theater is clean when people arrive, and of course, the popcorn has to be hot and ready,” she said. “After the show starts, the volunteers have to continue to monitor the concession stand until the movie concludes. After the people leave, there’s still at least an hour worth of clean-up to do.”
She said when the theater is closed for business, there is normally at least one or two volunteers inside painting, dusting or doing some kind of improvement or cleaning project.
“It’s a labor of love,” she said.
MARQUEE RESTORATION
In celebration of its 100th anniversary, the Rowland Theatre board is hoping to restore its marquee to look like the original glass marquee did in 1917. Inlow said a plaza consisting of engraved bricks will be designed in front of the theater to help fund this project.
She said in 1917, that original marquee extended past the curbside and 2 feet over the roadway, which is a goal for the new marquee project. In conjunction with the new glass canopy, a plaza will be designed in front of the theater to protect the new marquee. The plaza would extend the sidewalk and include the fundraising bricks.
“In keeping with the original design of the 1917 marquee, the movie and event advertising will not be done on the glass canopy,” she said. “Instead, a digital standing marquee will be placed on the plaza.”
Inlow said there is room for 15 characters to be engraved on a brick in two or three rows. The cost of each brick is $100. More information about the fundraising project can be found by calling (814) 342-0477.
Several events are being planned around the centennial celebration in 2017. Drawings will be held on a weekly basis at the theater and special prizes will be awarded. There are also a handful of special events scheduled, including a performance by Hotlanta, an Allman Brothers Band tribute group, Saturday, April 1; Paragon Ragtime Orchestra on Saturday, April 29; a musical tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, “Who Loves You,” on Saturday, May 20; and the Centennial Celebration Bash on Sunday, June 4.
